The ministerial committee on energy crisis on Monday failed to come up with any solution for the ongoing power crisis and decided to refer the issue to the prime minister, who has convened a meeting of the energy summit today (Tuesday).
Addressing a news conference, Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar admitted that despite their best efforts, load shedding would not reduce significantly within the next three months, as it was difficult to increase power generation in that time.
“I opted for this ministry as a challenge and will try my best to resolve the issue on permanent grounds,” he said, adding that he alone could not resolve the issue and required support from all.
He said the government had released Rs 9 billion for enhancing power generation and enhanced fuel supply to power plants would add 3,600MW to the system within the next three days.
He said distribution companies (DISCOs) had been assured the provision of Rs 1.3 billion daily to enhance power generation from the current level of 10,500MW to 13,500MW against an estimated demand of over 17,500MW.
However, he admitted a shortfall of 4,000MW would persist and eight hours of load shedding would persist.
Blaming the Punjab government for power riots, he said power shortage was being “misused” and the Centre will be using “constitutional powers” to control the move.
He said if Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was proven guilty of leading riots, a case would be registered against him.
Mukhtar said Punjab had outstanding dues of Rs 15.6 billion, while Sindh government owed Rs 51 billion.
He said the government had decided to conduct eight hours of load shedding in urban areas and 12 hours in rural areas.
The minister said the government departments owed Rs 212 billion, while the private sector owed over Rs 166 billion.
“If government manages to collect Rs 378 billion outstanding dues, the power generation will significantly improve,” he added.
To a question, the minister said the ministerial committee has constituted a committee consisting of the finance minister and minister for Kashmir affairs to discuss with the Sindh government deduction of outstanding power dues.
“If the matter is not settled in talks, we will use other available options,” he added.
When pressed, Mukhtar admitted that the government did not have the money to pay for fuel supply in order to generate at the optimal level of 15,800MW.
This includes 6,500MW from hydel, 7,000MW from IPPs and 2,500MW from GENCOs.
Detailing measures to enhance generation, he said 225 mmcfd gas was being diverted to power plants that would result in increasing power generation by 1,100MW.
Full fuel supply to two largest IPPs, KAPCO and HUBCO, had been revived to get maximum generation, he said, adding that a daily receipt of Rs 1.3 billion by DISCOs would enhance by generation by 2,500MW.