Energy leap: PM Nawaz declares energy emergency

Warns that any lapse or delay in implementation of power projects would be unacceptable.

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday declared a state of emergency in the country’s ailing energy sector and ordered the accelerated installation of two power plants in Gadani and Port Qasim.

Chairing a high-level meeting, the prime minister said he expected the authorities concerned to work on a ‘war footing’ to overcome the prevailing energy crisis.

The prime minister said the ‘energy emergency’ demanded an adequate response, warning that any lapse in its implementation would be unacceptable. He also briefed the meeting on the government’s efforts so far to reduce line losses.

PM Nawaz said that the deadline for the completion of the power plants in Gadani and Port Qasim must be taken seriously and negligence would not be tolerated.



For the purpose, he also proposed the creation of a dedicated project management office that will monitor the progress of these projects.

During the meeting, the prime minister was given a detailed briefing about the Neelum-Jhelum and Nandipur power projects. Work on both these plants is going according to schedule.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government agreed to set up a power project at Port Qasim.

Another coal-based power project will be kickstarted in Jamshoro, Sindh, and completed with the help of the Asian Development Bank in two years, the prime minister was told.

He was also informed about the government’s medium-term initiatives to overcome power shortages that include the wind energy generation project of 2,000 megawatts (MW) to be completed by 2016, the 1,000-MW CASA project to be completed by 2017, the Tarbela-V extension project also to set up by 2017 and the development of 1,000MW power project at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park by the government of Punjab.

Though no decision was made on gas load-shedding during winter the premier said he would summon a cabinet meeting on October 26 to consider the issue.

During the meeting, the implementation of the energy policy and the performance of the water and power ministry were also reviewed by the prime minister. He expressed dissatisfaction at the lack of progress in the cases against people found guilty of power theft and prolonged non-payment of bills.

The meeting was attended by Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr Mussadiq Malik.


Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2013.