No generation problem by 2017, says minister

Shortfall of 5,000MW to 6,000MW expected to be bridged

ISLAMABAD: A sub-committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Water and Power was apprised on Wednesday that there would be sufficient power generation by 2017 to bridge the existing shortfall of 5,000MW to 6,000MW in the country.

The committee, which met with its convener, Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur, in the chair, reviewed the performance of different distribution companies (DISCOs) of Sindh vis-a-vis incomplete schemes, initiated by the previous government.

Additional Secretary Ministry of Water and Power Umer Rasulin informed the committee that various power projects were under way and there would be no problem of generation by 2017-18.

The performance of all DISCOs was also being enhanced to cope with challenges of recoveries after surplus power generation by 2017 and early 2018.

Briefing the NA panel, the Chief Executive Officer Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) told that the company owed Rs400 million to Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) while even the police line was reportedly getting electricity through illegal connections (Kunda system).

The committee was further informed that zero load-shedding was observed on three feeders of Khairpur to enhance recoveries. However, the recoveries decreased further.

The CEO HESCO told that cash recovery witnessed a 15% increase while losses also dropped by 10%. The HESCO chief also denied allegations of having ghost employees in the company. He said FIA had sought record in recruitment which was officially provided to the agency. The Additional Secretary said that currently six to eight hours load-shedding was being carried out in urban and rural areas, respectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2016.

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