Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the authorities concerned for taking solid measures including shifting of imported coal run plants, improvement in power supply system, setting up cost effective and renewable energy plants and functioning of solar projects to reduce per unit cost of electricity to facilitate the common man.
The directives were issued by the prime minister while chairing a high level review meeting regarding power sector here.
Federal Ministers including Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Dr Musadik Malik, former minister Muhammad Ali, Bilal Zaheer Kiyani MNA, Rana Ahsan Afzal, Salman Ahmed and relevant authorities attended the meeting, said a press release issued by PM Office Media Wing.
Premier Shehbaz Sharif directed for shifting of coal run power plants from the imported fuel to local coal, besides improvement in the power
supply system.
Only clean, cost effective and renewable power plants should be set up in the country in future, he added.
The meeting was apprised of 600MW solar power project and the prime minister directed for expediting work on the foreign investment in this regard. The prime minister also asked for proposals for better utilization of the current surplus power generation capacity in industries.
He observed that wheeling price of electricity should be reduced for the industrial consumers so that power supply at reduced price could be made possible, besides for the industrial development and increase in export, grid stations should be installed near big industries.
The process of auction process of those power plants of Power Generation Companies that were lying dysfunctional and defective should be accelerated, he directed.
He said that the government was taking all measures to reduce price of power per unit for the common man whereas to reduce circular debt, reforms in the power sector were being carried out on priority basis.
The meeting was briefed over the existing power generation capability, supply system, government’s steps and proposals. The meeting was apprised of the future power demand and supply.
The meeting was told that by shifting the coal run plants from the imported fuel would not only save the precious reserves but also would make it possible to reduce power price by Rs2 per unit for the consumers.
The prime minister directed for swift implementation of all the measures within the stipulated time frame.
He highlighted that the nation presently imports oil valued at $27 billion to fulfil its requirements for power generation and transportation, a sum that could be substantially decreased through the adoption of alternative energy sources.
He stated that embracing renewable energy resources would help eliminate the influence of the oil tanker mafia, which he referred to as a burden on national finances.
The PM noted the prevailing nationwide rain spell as a promising advancement in augmenting water levels within rivers and reservoirs and emphasized its advantageous impact on power generation.
However, he expressed profound condolences for the loss of lives and property damages incurred due to the recent torrential rains and urged swift action from the National Disaster Management Authority to expedite rescue and relief efforts in affected areas.
