Power generation raised to 11,000MW, says minister

Minister for Water and Power Dr Musaddaq Malik on Monday said electricity generation had been increased to about 11,000MW due to steps taken by the caretaker government that would help lessen load shedding in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said on the directives of the prime minister, the Ministry of Finance would release Rs 22.5 billion rupees tomorrow that would further help ease the situation.

He said after the release of the amount, the suspended fuel supply chain would be restored.

Malik said it was the aim of the government to generate over 12,000MW of electricity to give relief to the masses.

He said of the Rs 22.5 billion rupees, Rs 15 billion would be paid to PSO, while the rest would be spent to make the closed power plants functional.

He said Qadirpur gas well was going into an annual turn around due to which gas supply to four companies would be suspended.

However, on an emergency basis, diesel was being arranged for them at a cost of four to five billion rupees.

“In this way electricity generation of 800MW will not be affected.”

He said the Ministry of Petroleum had promised to complete the turn around in maximum seven days. The minister said efforts were being made to run the IPPs on full capacity.

To a question, he said Rs 22.5 billion would be enough to take care of fuel requirements by the end of the month and the prime minister had indicated provision of additional Rs 42 billion rupees next month so that “we leave a somewhat comfortable situation for the next government”.

To another question, Malik said investment made in Jamshoro plant would increase its capacity by 150MW.

The minister added that there was massive corruption and inefficiency in the ministry as well as in the entire system, which was not acceptable.

He said heads of some companies had been removed and it was his effort to bring in sincere, motivated and hardworking people.