Power generation falls as dry spell cuts hydel output

Beijing model for electricity transmission to be adopted, PM Abbasi told

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been informed that all efforts are being made to deal with the smog-related outages, and a team has been sent to China to study Beijing’s model of electricity transmission for smog-ridden areas.

With smog-related power outages persisting, the Prime Minister on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the power generation and demand in the country.

The ruling camp, particularly the prime minister, had made claims that the country would be rid of power outages in November. These claims may, however, cause the government some embarrassment, as owing to the dry spell, many of the hydel power plants are not producing electricity to full capacity.

At the meeting, PM Abbasi was briefed on the recent power outages in South Punjab and upper Sindh, according to a press release from the Prime Minister Office. The meeting was informed that due to the dense smog caused by the persistent dry spell, transmission lines were tripping.



The dry spell, the meeting was told, was also causing water shortage, which in turn was hindering the power generated by hydroelectric plants.

On October 27, hydel generation stood at 2167 MW compared to the 3088 MW generated last year on the same day.

The meeting was also briefed on the non-availability of gas, due to scheduled LNG outages, which in turn led to low energy generation from LNG plants.

“However, effective measures have been taken to eliminate the demand and supply gap, resulting in restoration of required capacity. Except for smog-related unscheduled outages, power is being supplied to all areas similar to the situation prior to October 30th, 2017,” the press release said.



Abbasi was informed that all possible efforts were being made to ensure that the country was able to tackle the smog-related outages. In the same context, a team of professionals was also sent to China to study Beijing’s model of electricity transmission for smog-ridden areas.

Abbasi was also briefed about the solarisation of tube-wells in Balochistan.

The PM said that plans should be finalised on a war-footing basis to ensure minimum losses in terms of electricity bills and due payments on tube-well connections. Abbasi then directed the AEDB to develop a concept paper.



He emphasised the need for greater coordination among relevant departments so that contingency plans could be developed for any situation.

Abbasi also ordered a long-term power sector programme with clear targets for generating power from various sources. He said that would enable the country to have reliable yet affordable electricity the entire year.

According to the press release, Minister for Power Awais Leghari, Power and Petroleum Division secretaries and concerned senior government officials were present at the meeting.