CM proposes power subsidy for industries

Sindh will set the price of the electricity it produces, said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah interacting with a 17-member delegation of Lahore Press Club led by its president Arshad Ansari.

Murad said rather than temporary relief, the provincial government plans a subsidy for industrial units running in two shifts. The second shift will get subsidised power.

Although the federal government currently generates approximately 40,000MW of electricity, surpassing the demand of 30,000MW, the high cost of electricity poses serious threats and challenges to factories and commercial entities. Consequently, many industrial units have been forced to reduce their production by scaling back their shifts to cope with their power bills, resulting in a loss of production as well as employment.

To address this, the industrial sector should be offered subsidised electricity so that they operate with additional shifts and compete in the international market. He said that this approach would not only stimulate production but also create more employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers.

The CM said, the surplus electricity can be used to lessen the financial burden on the federal government, currently incurred from paying Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for unused power. Additionally, increased production could lead to enhanced exports, thus boosting foreign exchange earnings.

Murad said that the agreements with the IPPS were made for 20 to 25 years which also needed to be dealt with professionally and carefully.

Thar Coal

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah revealed that while 3,000 MW of electricity is generated at the Thar coal-fired power project, it is transmitted nationally, not utilized within Sindh. The government invested over $2 billion in infrastructure for Thar's coal mining and power plants.