PM warns against delay in power projects

Says 8,000MWs will be added to system by June 2018

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday warned officials and departments against laxity in the completion of ongoing power projects on time, as the government was not only focused on the prevailing energy shortfalls but was also resolute to provide for growing future energy requirements. He emphasized that it was the highest priority of the government to completely eliminate loadshedding in the shortest-possible time.

He was chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCE) here.Secretary Water and Power Nasim Khokhar briefed the meeting on the surge in power demand due to early rise in temperatures this season and a dip in water level in the reservoirs.

Nawaz said the government had steadfastly worked in the last three years to achieve its cherished goal post and all the base work for achieving this target had been completed. “With more than 8,000 megawatts of new generation scheduled to come into the national grid before June 2018, we are well on course for a loadshedding-free Pakistan, said the prime minister.

The government, he said, was not only focusing on the prevailing energy shortfalls in Pakistan, but was also determined to provide for the growing future energy requirements of the country.

The prime minister directed an early completion of power projects without compromising on efficiency and quality of work.  He also directed enhancement in coordination among different government organizations to facilitate the end consumers. 

The meeting was also briefed about the existing power demand and supply situation, load management plan and timelines for various ongoing power projects.  It was informed that a total of 5,710 megawatts would be added to the system by the end of 2017. 

The issues of circular debt, recoveries and line losses were also discussed. Secretary Petroleum & Natural Resources Arshad Mirza briefed the meeting on fuel and gas supply to the power sector and the provision of new gas connections to domestic, industrial and commercial users. 

The CCE approved new Re-gasified Liquid Natural Gas (RLNG) based gas connections for domestic, industrial and commercial consumers.  The recommendation of the Cabinet Committee on Energy shall be placed before the next meeting of the Federal Cabinet for ratification. 

The meeting was attended by Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance; Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Water & Power; Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning; Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab; and other senior government officials. 

Meanwhile, talking to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appreciated the role of PAF in safeguarding Pakistan’s air frontiers.

“Our air force has invariably played a crucial role in the national defense,” he told the air chief. The air chief met the prime minister at the Prime Minister House and briefed him on professional and operational preparedness of PAF.