Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday directed the ministries of petroleum and natural resources, water and power and finance division to ensure that additional electricity of 2,400 to 2,500MW comes to the system by February 2015, both in the case of LNG and new on-site generation.
He said line losses and theft of electricity should be controlled at all costs and serious steps be taken against theft of gas, irrespective of official status of the persons involved. He issued these instructions while chairing a joint ministerial meeting of the energy sector held at the Prime Minister House. Attendees included cabinet ministers Khwaja Asif, Chaudhry Nisar, Parvaiz Rashid, Ahsan Iqbal, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Khawaja Saad Rafique.
The prime minister was briefed about the status of LNG import and its availability for the power sector. He was informed that first consignment will reach Pakistan by February 2015 and to be available to the power sector.
Premier Nawaz gave approval for making the consignment available to Kot Addu power plant which will generate 1,200MW, as well as four other private power plants – Orient, Saif, Saphire and Halmore – which will collectively produce 800MW of electricity. The consignment will also be provided to Jamshoro power plant for producing 400 to 500MW.
Work on other projects, including Fast Track LNG terminal, SSGC LNG terminal, Gwadar Nawabshah LNG terminal and pipeline, Private LNG terminals, GEI, PGPL and Bahria to import 2bcfd LNG, enough to generate up to 15,000MW, will be expedited.
The prime minister was also informed that there are opportunities for producing affordable power from mobile mounted on-site power plants through 26 gas fields in the country having a potential to generate 1,000MW.
He also directed the relevant agencies to implement the already provided tax relief in the LNG policy. He also directed the water and power ministry to ensure that in future if bills are issued without meter-reading, it is specified on the bill that this is a ‘presumptive bill’, and any excess amount charged will be adjusted when the meter is read. The meter will be read at least once every three months.
The prime minister said the public demand for affordable electricity was justified and also a promise of the PML-N government. He vowed to regularly chair meetings of relevant ministries for better coordination and to achieve desired results within the stipulated timeframe.
Nawaz said all those working in relevant departments have to work round the clock. He said any lapse will not go unpunished and any good work they do will not go unrewarded.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 25th, 2014.
COMMENTS (18)
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I find it hard to comprehend the intolerant attitude of this nation, particularly followers a certain political party. Even if an angel is given the rule, how in the world do u expect this broken system to even start showing improvement and give "relief" to the public in 1-2 yrs. Give N-league their chance and if they don't perform, public will throw them away in next elections like they did with the PPP. Importing LNG seems like a great idea in present circumstances, lets hope it works and things change for the better. If we try to bring revolution after 1-2 yrs of every govt, then we will end up like Libya, Syria, or Egypt at best.
Hard to keep sticking up for pmln day by day my heart aches at there sheer incompetence and one day support will turn to anger and the ballot box will speak in 2018 and Mian will be no more either on jail or in opposition Mian Saab wake up ur nation in crumbling ur ppl are dying use ur brain save ur country not ur wealth u broke our hearts with what u did this year y Mian Saab? y?
The people in charge of stopping electricity theft, are the ones stealing the most. Parliament, PM house, President house are all defaulters. Not to mention the factories, mills, tube wells of those sitting in the Parliament.
For those who still believe in NS's promises... deserve NS.
from what? Bio gas?
With the pace with which Sharif govt is increasing power tariff. There may no longer be consumers who can afford it. Only the free loaders in govt and raiwind will be putting their generators to rest.
Its not just PML but all political parties that have interest in maintaining the status quo. And they do this by lying to the public, diverting attention from the real issue as they have vested interested in. Power generation is not the problem, power theft by industry, farmers and individuals is the real issue. Resolve that and Pakistan does not have power crisis.
If people still believe this man......they decidedly are stupid.
You can fool some of the people some of the time but not all the people all the time.
@sabi: Hardly anyone trusts NS. After wastage of more than 113 Million Rupees on Nandipur this is what we get?
Sigh! And the game of fooling 20 crore continues
So far they have added 35% faster meters for common consumers. Go Nawaz Go.
another fake promise and people above me have put blind faith in politicians who have been ruling us for decades. Shame!
We are tired of your lies and empty promises.
Knowing the performance of this government I do not see happening.
This is part of NS manifesto -Roshan Pakistan in five years.Go ahead NS.
Bad news for those who hate the system.