The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has emphasized to overhaul the power sector through some drastic measures as the total cost of inefficiencies in the power sector is continued to rise, crossing Rs2.6 trillion by Oct 31, 2023, showing 13 percent or Rs 75.25 billion per month growth in its flow, indicating that anti-theft drive failed to give results.
Referring to the latest data, Chairman PIAF FaheemurRehmanSaigol observed that circular debt stock touched Rs2.310 trillion at the end of FY 2022-23, which has now reached Rs2.611 trillion during July-October 2023-24 with a growth of Rs301 billion against growth of Rs249 billion in same period of 2022-23.
FaheemSaigol said that the Discos’ losses, inefficiency stood at Rs77 billion during July-October 2023-24 as compared to Rs 65 billion in the same period of 2022-23, showing addition of Rs 16 billion in total circular debt stock.
He said that in present scenario the energy efficiency and conservation are key measures used by countries across the globe to mitigate associated risks. However, in the case of Pakistan, both energy efficiency and conservation were generally treated as alien concepts.
The business leader noted that there was an urgent need for up-gradation of energy efficiency and conservation standards and strict enforcement, besides replacement of inefficient appliances and consumer awareness for responsible use of energy were other key areas which should be identified for action as a national priority. He estimated that a dollar outflow of around $ 1.25 billion could be potentially saved annually through implementation of efficiency and conservation measures.
The PIAF Chairman pointed out that the line losses ran as high as 9 percent over and above the percentage allowed by NEPRA. He informed that theft and line losses should be addressed through advanced metering and cabling.—INP
