While hearing the case of the rental power projects (RPPs) on Tuesday, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry inquired as to why the government had not utilised the independent power producers (IPPs) to reduce electricity shortage in the country.
According to a private television channel, the apex court was hearing the case against alleged corruption in the RPPs. Moreover, during the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar also sought details of the IPPs.
Khwaja Tariq Rahim, the counsel for the Ministry for Water and Power, told the court that currently 27 IPPs with the capacity of producing an overall 6,870 MW electricity were functioning across the country.
The chief justice remarked that there was no need for RPPs if the IPPs were made to work their full capacity.
Rahim informed the court that the RPPs were installed to fulfil the gap of power shortage which touches 4,000MW during the summer season.
He also cited the shortage of water in dams and reservoirs as another reason for loadshedding.
