The government on Thursday presented two-pronged strategy in the National Assembly focusing on conservation of energy and initiation of power projects to control loadshedding in next six months with conservation of up to 1100MW on demand side and addition of 1184MW on supply side.
Minister for Water and Power, Syed Naveed Qamar told the House during question-hour that supply side and demand side measures were being taken to combat load shedding during April, May, June, July, August and September. About the demand side's measures for the conservation of energy, the minister said hopefully 1000-1100 MW would be saved to overcome power shortage in the country.
The measures include reduction of lights up to 50 percent in President, Prime Minister Secretariats and Houses, Federal Ministers offices as well as residences and all government offices. Similarly, replacement of bulbs, tubelights with energy savers, use of air conditioners by authorised officers after 11am, campaign to keep AC thermostat on 26°C, closure of markets and shops at 2000 hours, illumination of alternate street lights and non-supply of power to billboards and neon signs, ban on commercial decorative lights and staggering of weekly holiday for industry.
Furthermore, the minister said that manufacturers are being emphasised for manufacturing, import of energy efficient appliances in Pakistan while replacement of inefficient irrigation, water supply motors and pumps with efficient equipment is in progress as pilot project in Mepco. Excessive illumination on highways and motorways is being suppressed through spacing and lower wattage while the public is also being educated through media for the conservation of energy.
About the supply's side measures, Qamar said that under the strategy 1184MW will shortly be added into the system from five new power plants to boost generation capacity. The power plants that would start generation include, Foundation Power Project Dherki with capacity of 202MW, Hub Power Narowal 225MW capacity, Halmore Power Project Bhikki with 225MW, Karkey Project Karachi with 232MW and Chashma Nuclear Power Unit No 2 (C-2) having capacity of 300MW. The minister further said that presently average hydel generation is about 3500MW while in succeeding months, the release of water from dams/reservoirs will increase and hydel generation will reach its peak, which will help in reducing quantum and duration of loadshedding. He said hydrology this year was much better than the previous year.