LAHORE – A Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) spokesman seemed displeased with the various reports in the print and electronic media, which attempted to paint a gloomy power scenario, and termed these reports based on half truths, incorrect information and lack of understanding of the complexity of the power sector.
The spokesman said that media reports of electricity shortfall of over 4500 MW are speculative, misleading and devoid of facts. “Computation of electricity shortfall is a complex exercise and cannot be made on the basis of hours of load shedding in various parts of the country, since power consumption is not uniform and depends on the consumer mix of the area. The correct demand can only be assessed if there is a surplus generation which unfortunately is not the case at present,” the spokesman said. The shortfall tabulated by PEPCO and released to the press is based on historical data, he added.
The spokesman wondered how the country was getting electricity if 24 thermal power stations were closed out of a total of 33 thermal power stations in the country. The spokesman said that PEPCO MD Rasul Khan Mahsud in his press conference on December 24, 2010 had informed the media that country was likely to face electricity shortfall owing to reduction in hydel generation which was affected because of canal closure. He also informed the public through the media that arrangements for supply of furnace oil have been firmed up with Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to ensure maximum power generation during canal closure. The statement was made in the back drop of a high level meeting with representatives of Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Water and Power and PSO MD among others.
Owing to personal intervention of the Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, it was agreed that PSO will provide 23,000 tons of furnace oil against a requirement of 27,000 tons per day made by Ministry of Water and Power. Unfortunately, PSO did not fulfill its commitment and has been providing a maximum of 15,000 tons per day. As a case in point, 11,000 tons of furnace oil was provided to power plants on January 13, 2010.
As regards to outstanding dues of PSO towards PEPCO/IPPs, Rs 40 billion was paid to PSO up to January 6, 2011 on the explicit understanding that they will ensure supply of furnace oil to thermal power plants. The spokesman regretted that PSO has not been able to fulfill its commitment made at highest level. The spokesman recalled that Jamshoro Power Station, Lakhra Power Plant, Jagran and Malakand were closed owing to damage caused to these plants during recent floods. The spokesman further said that despite reduced furnace oil supply, intense fog conditions, which led to tripping off of Liberty Power Plant, Engro Power Plant and Guddu Power Plant, PEPCO has been providing over 650 MW to Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and is meeting the entire demand of the industry. This is reflected by export figures which show an increase of over 20 percent compared to last year.
The spokesman also denied reports appearing in the media that PEPCO is resorting to 15 hours load shedding in far flung areas. The spokesman categorically rejected apprehensions in the media that power crisis will be intensified, as power generation of 1700 MW was added in the system during the last one year and an additional power generation of 1000 MW was in the pipeline. The spokesman urged the media to refrain from speculations and verify their information before sharing it with the public as it created unnecessary sensation.
