Lack of sustainability is one of the biggest problems faced by Pakistan’s power sector, which is now no more profitable for the Transcos (transmission companies) and Discos (Distribution Companies) nor is it affordable for the consumer.
The Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Pakistan (IEEEP) President Tahir Basharat Cheema stated this at a seminar on “Materialising the Renewable Energy Resources in Pakistan” organised by IEEEP in collaboration with M/S Zorlu Enerji Pakistan Limited on Wednesday.
Cheema said that currently, there is no umbrella or controlling body over the power sector, which is now being monitored by a regulator, the NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) that has rotted this vital sector through nonprofessional attitude. Profitability for power operators and affordability for the consumer is the need of the hour, for which the regulator will have to change its policies.
He stressed upon the need for people to change their life style and adopt a culture of carrying out all business and work during the daytime. According to a survey in 2010, he said, there was peak power consumption even at 1:05AM (at night) and said “It means, we are going other way round from rest of the world in terms of living behaviour.”
The IEEEP also called upon the quarters concerned, to work hard for energy efficiency and told engineers that they need to have a special vision and grip over power sector dynamics, as this is an age of energy acquisition, citing that China, India and USA are in the serious business of energy acquisition. “This is the time to go after all energy resources, as well as attract our expatriates, local businessmen and industrialists to invest in the power sector,” he added.