Govt to exploit all energy sources to meet rising electricity requirements: PM

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the government will exploit all energy sources including nuclear, hydel, solar and wind to meet the rising electricity requirements of the country.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of 330 MW nuclear power plant 2 here on Thursday, he pointed out that the country was currently facing long hours of load shedding and the nuclear power plant completed in collaboration with China would certainly provide immediate relief to a section of electricity consumers.
He said the government was fully conscious of the sufferings of the people and the adverse effects of this electricity shortfall on industrial production and economic growth of the country.
He said that two more power plants C-3 and C-4 already under construction at Chasma would help in paving the way for Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission to meet the government assigned target of 8800 MW by the Year 2030.
He assured that the government would extend all out support to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission for the development of the nuclear power programme and meeting its targets.
He urged the atomic commission to pay full attention towards the safety and security of the nuclear power plants.
He pointed out that the country has already an independent regularity authority which was responsible for safety oversight to the nuclear power plants.
He said the PAEC and the regulatory authority should work in tandem for the safety and security of the power plants.
The Prime Minister urged the world community to eliminate discrimination between nations and make the promising technology accessible to Pakistan for peaceful use like power generation.
He said the country has been consistently complying with the nuclear safeguard requirements signed with the IAEA and and this will continue to be practice for all civil nuclear power plants to be built in Pakistan in future.
He said that building and operating nuclear power plants was something vital to the interest of the people of Pakistan because the country was suffering from severe energy deficiency and needs more power plants.
He applauded the Chinese team for providing support for the completion of Chasma power plant 2 which enabled the PAEC to complete the project ahead of schedule time.
Earlier, the prime minister was given briefing on the power plant. Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne and federal ministers were also present on the occasion.