KE’s monopoly ends next year, says Sindh energy minister

Says action will be taken against KE if it is not using furnace oil to generate electricity

KARACHI:

Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Sheikh has said that K-Electric's monopoly will end in 2023.

 Addressing a press conference, he said that the provincial government was making all-out efforts to provide relief to people during the sweltering weather.

 Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has summoned the chief executive officer of the KE and discussed ways to end the electricity load-shedding in the city, he added.

 "It is said that electricity is produced using furnace oil which is expensive, so the KE is not generating sufficient power. If anyone has evidence that KE does not use furnace oil, provide proof and we will take action," Imtaiz Sheikh added.

 The minister said that the issue of early closure of markets is temporary and traders will decide about it in consultation with the community.

 "Government is trying to resolve the issue," he added.

 The energy minister said that two 660MW coal-fired power plants would be operational this year.

 He said that 1,320MW Shanghai Electric Power Plant would also start functioning soon.

 Imtiaz Sheikh said that plans to produce gas, diesel and fertiliser at coal-fired projects would be taken forward under CPEC.

 He said that the previous government has terminated the agreements on CNG and LNG.

 As a result, 175 million tonnes of coal is lying unused in Sindh.

 Referring to his talks with the federal minister for energy, he hoped that work on all the projects would start on an emergency basis.

 He said that under the previous government, wind and solar power projects were rejected.

 These projects are being taken up with the federation again.