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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Raja Pervez Ashraf Minister for Water and Power on Saturday said if Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) fails to improve the power situation, the government can take over the company’s management.
Addressing a press conference here, the minister said show-cause notice has been issued to KESC and sought report from it within 10 days about the worst power situation in Karachi.
He said Pepco and power distribution companies (Discos) have been asked to work on war footing basis in this situation and he himself is closely monitoring the demand and supply situation to overcome the crisis.
He assured that there will be no load shedding after December 2009 and the government will overcome power deficiency by completing all short-term projects within stipulated time.
He said required electricity will be added in the system with the start of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) power projects. He said due to the steps being taken by the government, the power situation is now improving. He said the government is also working on enhancing the capacity of existing system while it was also considering its long-term projects like Diamir-Bhasha Dam and Neelum-Jhelum.
The minister said that owners of IPPS projects during meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari have assured him that all projects will be completed by December this year.
He said the government has also initiated rental projects which is only way to have required energy to overcome the power shortfall.
Pervez Ashraf said Cabinet Special Committee on Energy Crisis holds meeting on daily basis to monitor power situation in the country.
He said adequate supply of furnace oil and gas is being provided to power plants and dispelled this impression that shortage in delivery of furnace oil and gas to power plants is the main cause behind power shortfall in the country.
He said the major task of the government is to include required generation in the system. He said almost all power plants are functioning with maximum capacity in the country.
He said the power deficit is increased due to constant increase in power consumption throughout the country besides other reasons as use of electric appliances particularly air-conditions increases in these days.
Ashraf said the government has capability to handle the situation and several innovative steps have been taken in this regard. He said past governments did nothing for power generation due to which the country is facing acute power shortage however he said present government is fully committed to improve the situation.
He said but past governments failed to make any plan for power production due to which the present government is facing a shortfall of around 3,000 MW.
He said the previous government had left circular debt of Rs. 190 billion in this sector in term of non-payments to independent power producers (IPPs) regarding oil and gas bills.
He however said the government has cleared the debt and it reached at only Rs 70 billion to pay which will be cleared soon.