Govt shutting down around 1,500MW inefficient power plants

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided shutting down around 1,500MW inefficient power plants in phased manner keeping in view surplus availability of electricity in the country.

A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) was held under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar here in Islamabad on Thursday.

The committee considered a proposal of Power Division related to shutting down of low efficiency power plants. The committee after detailed deliberations approved the proposal for closure of inefficient plants in a phased manner. The committee directed Power Division to work out the exact dates for closers of these power plants. The committee also asked the Power Division to bring a proposal relating to the human resource these entities on humane, fair and just basis.

Cabinet Committee on Energy also considered a proposal of Power Division for waiver of minimum 66% Take-or-Pay commitment in PPAs and GSAs of three RLNG plants. The proposal is a part of government’s efforts to produce electricity through the most economical sources and reducing reliance on relatively expensive ones. The committee directed Power Division as well as Finance Division to carry out further deliberations to ensure that both electricity and gas sectors are able to meet their demand & supply requirements without any disruption.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz, SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar and senior official of various divisions