Govt targets 3,000MW surplus by 2018

PM prepares to launch slew of projects over next 6 months

ISLAMABAD: With the government still struggling to contain the prevailing electricity shortfall, Secretary Water and Power Younus Dagha has told a cabinet committee that by the summer of 2018 there will be a 3,000 megawatt energy surplus in the country – if current projects are completed on time.

In this regard Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to inaugurate nine power projects by March 2017 which would add over 1,000 MW to the national grid.



A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy, chaired by Nawaz, was briefed about the progress of under-construction power projects in the country on Thursday.

Dagha claimed that a number of power projects, including coal fired and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) fired power plants are expected to be completed before March 2018.

In this regard, the official said that LNG-based 1,156 MW power plant at Bhikki in Shiekhupura, ground for which Nawaz had broken in October 2015, is expected to be completed ahead of time.

Nawaz reiterated his vow to end power outages before his five-year term expires.

“We will fulfill our commitment to the nation for eliminating load-shedding before the end of our tenure,” PM was quoted as saying in an official handout issued after the huddle.

“Any delays must be analysed and appropriate measures be taken to meet the timelines.”

Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Lt General (retd) Muzammil Hussain briefed the committee on the status of two projects including the 969 MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydro-Power Project (NJHPP)and an extension to the Tarbela dam.

The Tarbela-IV extension project aims to add 1,410 MWs to its generation capacity, enhancing its overall generation capability to 4,888 MWs.



In this regard, Hussain said that the first unit of NJHPP is expected to be commissioned in February 2018, while its remaining units are expected to become functional before the summer of 2018.

The first unit of Tarbela-IV is expected to be inaugurated by the PM on August 14, 2017.

Nuclear, wind projects

PM Nawaz is also expected to inaugurate wind and power projects over the next six months among at least nine energy projects which aim to add over 1,000 MW to the national grid.

According to a separate handout issued on Wednesday, the PM is expected to inaugurate the 340 MW Chashma-III and the 340 MW Chashma-IV nuclear power projects in October 2016 and March 2017, respectively.

Further, as many as seven wind power projects, which will add 330MW to the grid, will be ready for inauguration by October.

In addition to power generation, the government is expanding the transmission network. In this regard work is ready to begin on the 250 kilometer 500 kilo volts D/C T/L from Engro Thar-Matiari and two-line bays at Matiari Switching Station.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2016.