K-P produces 5,000MW of electricity and consumes 2,200MW, of which industries gets 240MW compared to demand for 340MW. PHOTO: FILE
KPCCI President Dr Muhammad Yusuf Sarwar, along with scores of industrialists from around the province, took up the matter at a press briefing on Friday.
The Supreme Court, in its May 31 verdict, had directed power distribution companies to equally distribute electricity throughout the country, which Sarwar said was wrongly interpreted. Power distribution companies had placed industries in the category of household consumers, which led to an increase in outages for the industries from four hours to 12 hours, he said.
According to Sarwar, in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, it was agreed that K-P will get 16% of electricity. Total electricity production in the country is around 11,000 megawatts and K-P’s share comes to 1,760MW, but it only gets 1,100MW, which he termed total injustice that had paralysed the industries.
“After the 18th Constitutional Amendment, provinces got control of the energy sector and each province is striving to preserve its resources, but our resources are being consumed by others,” Sarwar said.
K-P produces 5,000MW of electricity and consumes 2,200MW, of which industries gets 240MW compared to demand for 340MW.
K-P businessmen say electricity consumption in the country has increased 92% since 1992. In Punjab, it has gone up 76% whereas in K-P consumption has increased only 33%. Per capita consumption is also much lower in K-P, they say.
“We have to close down our industrial units, but it will directly impact the labour class. We are planning to slash the workforce by 60% if power outages are not brought under control,” said industrialist Malik Niaz.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2013.
Like Business on Facebook to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ