The official, seeking anonymity, said that notices have been served at the Private Power and Infrastructure Board over power purchasers’ failure to pay verified and approved receivables to the power producers.
According to the details, Pakgen has to receive Rs3.9 billion; Lalpir Power Rs4.7 billion; Kohinoor Energy Limited Rs1.7 billion; Rousch Rs2.9 billion; Nishat Power Rs4.2 billion; Nishat Chunian Rs6.1 billion; Liberty Power Tech Rs4.8 billion; Hubco Narowal Rs3.7 billion; Atlas Power Rs4.1 billion; Saif Power Rs2.4 billion; Sapphire Electric Rs1.5 billion; Engro Power Rs8.6 billion; Orient Power Rs6.3 billion; and Halmore Rs7.7 billion respectively.
“We welcomed the government’s step of clearing outstanding dues of the IPPs last year but this is not a one-time thing,” the official said.
The power purchaser has to clear dues on a regular basis lest it became too difficult for IPPs to continue production. If they fail to do it, the government has to pay as the sovereign guarantor to keep the generation going and avoid closures of plants.
“The power purchaser failed to realise this and, as a result, the dues have mounted to Rs42.3 billion for which the government has to intervene now,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2014.
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If you can't pay your bills how are you going to full fill your charter of being a central power purchasing organization? If you can't fulfill your primary goal of being a central power purchasing agency how are you gong to fulfill you goal of managing power distribution? . No wonder people don't pay their utility bills - apparently the govt doesn't either.