The power loadshedding has once again intensified after a slight relief for only a couple of days in Punjab, with the maximum relief extended to residents of Gujar Khan, the new Prime Minister's constituency and Gujrat, constituency of Minister for Water and Power Ahmad Mukhtar, sources close to Managing Director NTDC told Business Recorder on Tuesday.
"We are generating 13,500 MW against the demand of 18,000 MW, indicating a shortfall of 4,500 MW. However, the duration of loadshedding in Gujar Khan and Gujrat is far less than other areas," the sources added. Deputy Prime Minister, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi also hails from Gujrat.
Another official told this correspondent that the decisions taken by the federal cabinet with regard to reducing loadshedding had not been implemented in letter and spirit. The sources claimed that the forced loadshedding had recommenced on the instructions of Water and Power Ministry.
The cabinet, in its meeting on June 26, 2012 had decided that Pakistan State Oil (PSO) would supply 28,000 tons of oil daily to add 1,200 MW to the national grid however the decision has not been implemented so far. The Petroleum Ministry was also directed to provide 15mmcfd gas immediately to Faisalabad Power Plant for generation of 65 MW which, according to official documents, is being implemented.
It is also unclear whether the Finance Ministry is releasing payments to PSO for purchase of 28,000 tons of oil daily from tariff differential subsidy in a timely manner. A committee comprising Minister of Finance Syed Khurshid Shah and the Minister of Petroleum was formed to hold talks regarding closure of industry and CNG stations for one additional day in a week. This decision too has not been implemented so far.
The documents disclose that upon the request of the Ministry of Water and Power to divert 207mmcfd of gas to the power sector, the Petroleum Ministry showed inability to reduce gas supplies from other sectors. On the proposal to close down the industry and CNG stations for one additional day, a committee comprising Minister for Water and Power Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for information Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Petroleum Dr Asim Hussain and Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo was formed with the purpose of holding negotiations with representatives of the Punjab industry and CNG sector to convince them to agree to the proposal. However, the committee has, so far, failed to convince both the sectors to agree to the proposal.
The Cabinet had also directed the Petroleum Ministry to remove bottlenecks in timely completion of Phase II of Kunar gas field so that 125mmcfd of additional gas could be made available to the system. It was claimed that 1,510 MW additional electricity would be available by 28th of June 2012 in the national grid and 600 MW more could be added once full allocation of 28,000 tons of oil daily was ensured. However, the decision remains unimplemented.
The cabinet members also argued that since the IPPs purchase their own oil, current focus on pumping more oil to the equation would not enhance generation of electricity. They further argued that the issue of provision of more funds for IPPs must be resolved on priority basis.
A suggestion was also floated that a core group should be created to assess the financial requirements, governance problems and formulate a roadmap to increase the generating capacity to 18,000 MW. Implementation on these suggestions remains poor.