ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy Muhammad Hammad Azhar obtained Wednesday a detailed briefing on matters relating to power sector.

Secretary Power Division Ali Raza Bhutta along with senior official briefed the Minister on the roles and functions of Power Division and its attached organizations/departments.

The minister was apprised on the current stock of circular debt that stood at Rs 2,300 billion, approximately. Power Division has devised a monthly circular debt reporting format which also indicates how different factors contribute to its buildup.

Hammad was also briefed about the ongoing development projects under the organisations of Power Division. These included major transmission and distribution improvement projects. The minister was apprised that total PSDP portfolio of Power Division for the year 2020-21 is 74,497.770 million out of which major portion is contributed from the Discos and NTDC’s own resources. Major transmission projects included CASA-1000, 4000MW Matyari-Lahore HVDC line and Dasu transmission line. The Matiari-Lahore HVDC line CoD is in September 2021 after which it will be available for evacuation of power generation from South of the country, the minister was briefed.

The Federal Minister for Energy was informed that in order to rationalize cost of generation, old furnace oil Gencos are being phase-wise retired to be replaced with new efficient cost-effective generation plants. It will not only add to rationalize the basket price of electricity but will also reduce the unused capacity.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021