The NWFP government is likely to supply electricity to the sick industrial units of the province on subsidised rates, although the feasibility study of Sarhad Development Authority (SDA) on Malakand industrial estate declared the project infeasible, reliable sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday.
The provincial government, under its Industrial Policy 2005, announced the establishment of an industrial estate in Malakand Agency for generation of employment opportunities and poverty alleviation in the area.
The provincial government also announced the provision of 10-megawatt electricity from Malakand III hydropower project to the units of the proposed industrial estate. However, the consultant, engaged by the SDA for conducting feasibility study of the project, has declared it infeasible.
In the wake of SDA feasibility study, Sarhad Hydel Development Organisation (SHYDO) has started work on preparing new mechanism to supply 10-megawatt electricity of Malakand-III HPP for the industrial use in other areas of the province on subsidised rates.
It has now started considering other available options for the utilisation of 10-MW electricity on subsidised rates. To prepare a new mechanism and micro-details for supply of 10-MW power and its supply to local industry as per prevailing rules and regulations and as per approval of the provincial government, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of SHYDO Managing Director to discuss the matter.
The meeting was attended by Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Ghazanfar Bilour and representatives of SDA, Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra).
The business community proposed the utilisation of 10-MW power of the Malakand-III HPP for the revival of sick industrial units in the province, which are closed at least for the last three years or more.
The provincial government has started work on the subject and conducting feasibility of the option. The proposal was also considered suitable, as according to the SCCI President, 10-MW power is not sufficient to facilitate the establishment of a new industrial estate.
The provincial government, after the infeasible report on the Malakand industrial estate, has started discussion on the option of the supply of the power for the revival of the sick industrial units, and the relevant quarters have sent the matter to the provincial government for approval.
To prevent the default on account of electricity bill of the sick industrial units, the business community has assured early clearance of Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco) dues after the revival of the sick units.
The Sarhad Chamber is likely to identify sick industrial units, which would be supplied power on subsidised rates, while Pesco, a power distribution company of Wapda in the province, will charge only wheeling charges as allowed by the Nepra, which would be determined by Pesco and Nepra as per rules.