Govt working to end load-shedding by 2018: PM

Nawaz says alternate energy sources -- including solar and wind power -- must be tapped

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said the government is taking all-out measures to ensure a complete end to power outages during its tenure, Radio Pakistan reported.

“An addition of more electricity to the national grid before the advent of the summer is the government’s priority,” he said while chairing a meeting of the cabinet committee on energy in Islamabad.

The prime minister said efficient projects should be to ensure that electrcitity is provided to consumers at affordable rates.

He said alternate energy sources -- including solar and wind power -- must be tapped.

“All hurdles in the way of speedy electricity generation must be removed,” he said.

During the meeting, attendees were informed that Expressions of Interest has been invited for the construction of the1100-km South-North gas pipeline -- a project which will be completed in two phases, and will reduce the cost of gas transmission and result in a reduction of the production cost of electricity.

Nawaz said timelines should be set for the project to achieve the objectives within a specified timeframe.

The meeting decided to install LNG fueled power plants to reduce energy shortfall.

The prime minister also emphasised that the electricity transmission system should be improved in order to reduce line losses.