Energy crisis: Pepco’s receivables increase to Rs285 billion

Centre, provinces owe Pepco Rs142b.

ISLAMABAD: The receivables of Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) have increased to Rs285 billion against different consumers, sources said on Wednesday.

They said that out of the total dues, the federal and provincial governments owed Pepco Rs142 billion. Giving the details, the sources said that Rs40 billion, Rs68 billion and Rs5 billion were outstanding against Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), provincial governments and the federal government, respectively.

The sources said that Pepco’s payables had surged to Rs194 billion to IPPs and PSO. They added that the highest line losses were reported in Sukkur, which stood at 37 per cent, followed by Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco), which were 34 per cent.

They said that at least 43,800 FIRs had been registered in connection with power pilferage. The sources said that the power demand increased by 2,000 megawatts (MW) every year while only 1,200MW could be added to the national grid during the last year.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th,  2011.