Wapda Chairman Tariq Hameed said that there was no conflict between Nepra and power distribution companies on the new electricity tariff. He was talking to journalists after performing the groundbreaking ceremony of 500-KV Muzaffargarh-Gatti transmission line at Gatti Grid station about 5 kilometers off here.
The Wapda chairman said Nepra had fixed rates, which would be effective after its notification, adding that the electricity rates remained unchanged in spite of visible increase in oil and gas prices during the past two-and-a-half year.
He said that KESC was allowed only 23 paisa raise in spite of its complete dependence on thermal power. He hoped that only a minor increase would be allowed in the electricity rate.
About alternative sources of energy, he said that two wind-propelled power generation stations of 50-MW each would be constructed between Karachi and Hyderabad. Similarly, Alternate Energy Board has already energised 560 houses with solar and some with wind energy in Northern Areas.
Earlier, addressing the formal function, he underlined the need of electricity to gear up the economic activities in the country and said that hydal power houses were located in north while thermal units were present in south in spite of the fact that its main consumption was in Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Lahore.
He said that Muzaffar Garh-Gatti line was necessary to bring thermal power to these load centers from south during winter season. "We will be able to bring surplus electricity to the main load centers with the completion of this transmission line", he added.
Chinese Ambassador Zhang Chuxiang also underlined the importance of this transmission line for the economic uplift of Pakistan and said that it would also reflect deep-rooted friendship between the two countries.
He also talked about the recent successful tour of President General Pervez Musharraf to China and said that it would further cement our political, cultural and economic relations.
The Chinese Ambassador also spoke in Urdu and said that it was his long awaited visit to the textile center of Pakistan.
NTDC Chief Executive Muhammad Shabbir Chaudhry briefed about the project and said that 280-kilometer long transmission line will be completed by August 31, 2007 with an estimated cost of Rs 3.12 billion.
Earlier, Wapda Chairman Tariq Hameed along with Chinese ambassador performed the groundbreaking ceremony and planted saplings of Araucaria in the lawn of Gatti grid station.