National News

ISLAMABAD (APP): Minister for Water and Power Khawaja
Muhammad Asif has expressed confidence to overcome load shedding
by 2018 with the production of additional 11,000 MW power through
under construction power projects.
“It is a possibility and I am confident it will be done by
2018. Since 2014, we are supplying uninterrupted power and gas to
industry and the same will be case with domestic consumers,” he
said speaking in a private news channel programme.
When asked if there can be any technicalities
in achieving this target, the minister said, even if in any
worst scenario or any calamity (which I do not expect), we are
able to produce 7000 to 8000 MW power, we shall be able to bridge
the gap in supply and demand.
He said this year’s peak demand was noted at 22000 to 23000
MW and if we calculate estimated 3000 to 4000MW additional demand
till 2018, even then we shall be able to overcome load shedding.
He said two projects with the capacity of 3600 and 1300 MW
shall be operative in single cycle before the 2017 summer season
and would be functioning in combined cycle at the start of 2018.
Answering a question about transportation of fuel for the
plants, the minister said, Pakistan Railways has ensured
transportation of coal for the Sahiwal project. “Seeing the
capacity of Railways that can only fulfill needs of Sahiwal plant,
we did not take risk for coal plants at Rahimyar Khan or other
sites.”
He said Sahiwal plant is completing ahead of schedule and
the Chinese government has also appreciated the hard work and
commitment of the Punjab government.
When asked about capacity of transmission lines to carry the
load, the minister said, for 3600MW capacity Balloki and
Bahadurabad plants, transmission line is already there while the
Sahiwal plant is also close to load center. “Therefore, there is
no question of transmission problems. We already have our system
there and it will cater to the needs for additional load.”
The minister said with the passage of time there will also
be improvement in transmission lines. Our Jamshoro and Guddu
transmission lines have capacity to carry the load of 1320 MW to
be produced from Karachi plant while for Chashma and Neelum Jhelum
plants, the system is already in place.
Answering a question whether the existence of circular debt
was failure of the government, he rejected the impression and
said, “It is not a failure. We need to analyze this phenomenon.
This amount relates to state departments or the provinces.”
He said even in the earlier payment of Rs 480 billion, the
major chunk went to state owned entities as he rejected the
allegation of that time about making the payment to favorite IPPs.
“The share of IPPs and private sector was nominal as major chunk
had gone to state owned entities like Pakistan State Oil.”
“Now again, these are internal payments. The situation is
not so alarming as being portrayed rather it is well under
control. It is a matter of subsidy and recoveries from state
institutions and the provincial governments,” he clarified.
The minister offered to brief those experts who have doubts
about these projects and said, he and his ministry was available
any time to brief them and update on the actual situation.