Alternative energy sources to be explored to meet requirements. PHOTO: FILE
In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, it was detailed that the energy requirements of the country will be met for the next three to four years under the new policy.
The policy focuses on maximising the use of alternative energy sources such as coal, hydel, solar and wind to overcome the electricity shortfall. Seven thousand megawatt electricity is to be produced through coal.
"I whole heartedly congratulate the provinces for coming to a consensus on a matter of national interest," said the Prime Minister, adding that the responsibility of implementation also rests with the provinces.
PM Nawaz added that it was the government's job to facilitate consensus on key decisions.
"We respect the mandate of all the provincial governments and would support them in all their endeavours to protect the welfare of the people," said the Prime Minister.
He said that Sindh was the hub of energy sources and that coal and wind energy will be used from the province to meet energy requirements.
Provisions of the new policy
The report presented by the technical committee detailed Sindh government's demand for developing Coal and Wind Corridors with the facilitation of federal government.
The committee also proposed Integrated Utility Courts for dealing with electricity and gas thefts and rationalising the penalties for such crimes.
The report of the technical committee was approved by the CCI and became a part of the national energy policy approved on Wednesday.
Amongst other things, the meeting discussed the challenges of distribution facing Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Speaking at the meeting, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said that opportunities are available for investment and that his government was already working on two energy projects in District Kohistan.
Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah said that wind energy sources needed to be explored while Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Malik Baloch stressed for a steady provision of electricity to his province from the Uch-2 Project.
Power Tariffs
Under the new energy policy, the power tariff will be increased by 30 to 70 per cent for industrial, commercial and domestic consumers to phase out subsidy.
Gas prices were also increased for all users except for impoverished communities.
An official of the power ministry confirmed that consumers would face a hike in power tariff of Rs 3 to Rs 6 per unit for different categories.
The official said that government was mulling over a plan to guarantee uninterrupted power supply to industrial consumers.
Water and Power Minister Khwaja Asif said that the new tariff would be effective from August1 for industrial and commercial consumers while domestic consumers using over 200 units of electricity per month would face the hike from October1.
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@Razi: You are so right. This is not the way to go. They have more than doubled the tariff without even solving one single problem. The load shedding has in fact increased, circular debt issues have not been resolved and they put all the burden on already burdened public.
The way to go forward was solar. They could easily generate 5,000 MW by one single plant which cost not more than $475,000,000 that is half a billion while you are prepared to invest in Bhasha Dam for 4,500 MW of electricity if at all it comes through about 22 billion dollars. All you need is 32,000 acres of waste land. The world will appreciate and give you money and technology for reducing the carbon foot print.
Coal and hydel is not alternative energy. Alternative energy is Solar, Wind, Geo thermal etc. I think Nawaz Govt. is not thinking on right lines.
This is a replica of the old policy with no short term goals which can be measured. Wind corridor is already in process with 100MW already in operation and more are in process.
This is great news!
It's good to see everyone coming today. Pskistan Zundabad!!!
Is this the awaited New Energy Policy? Instead reducing corruption in WAPDA/PEPCO and thus reducing the tariff the PML-N has kept the corruption as it stands and put the burden on already minced masses, industry and commercial sectors. Pl expect more unemployment more unrest more load shedding less exports negativeeeeeeeeeeeee balance of payment and richer you know who...
Nawaz proving to be national leader. may Allah help him in all matters of national interest. ,
I'm glad to hear wind power plants are going to be setup in Sindh. There is a lot of potential to generate electricity using this renewable, clean and cheap form of energy.