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| Ministers’ body devises strategy to overcome power crisis |
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Sunday, July 05, 2009
By Khalid Mustafa
ISLAMABAD: The ministers’ committee has recommended to the government to provide 40,000 tonnes of furnace oil a day and over 100 mmcfd gas to thermal powerhouses to generate about 1,100 MW of electricity, equal to the shortfall the country is facing because of the closure of 10 units of the Mangla Dam, a senior official told The News.
“Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had constituted a special committee in the cabinet meeting on July 1, which comprises the federal ministers for labour and manpower, privatization, industries, information and broadcasting and the advisers on finance and petroleum, to recommend ways to address the power crisis,” he said.
The members of the committee put their heads together in a meeting at the OGDCL’s headquarters on July 2 and firmed up their recommendations.
Apart from the minister, top officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Water and Power and the MDs of the Sui Southern and Northern companies also attended the meeting. “This is a temporary arrangement till the Mangla starts generating 1,100 MW.”
When contacted, Dr Asim Hussain said the committee had advised the government to immediately provide 40,000 tonnes of furnace oil and about over 100 mmcfd of gas to powerhouses.
He said Tarin had expressed willingness to ensure the capital required to provide the required furnace oil to thermal powerhouses.
Dr Asim said Tarin had ensured that the circular debt issue would be resolved by July 3. About the source from which the government would provide gas to the powerhouses, he said the managing directors of both the gas utilities had assured that the powerhouses would be provided gas.
“This will enable the powerhouses to generate about 500 MW of electricity.”
Managing Director Pepco Tahir Basharat Cheema, when contacted, said the powerhouses were being provided about 24,500 tonnes of furnace oil presently and, therefore, the Pepco was unable to store oil.
He was also of the view that if 30,000 tonne fuel was ensured, 500 MW of additional electricity could be generated.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
