PM assures progressive reduction in load shedding while Power Ministry says consumers will be given relief in tariff
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif chaired 4th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy here Tuesday which reviewed the implementation status of ongoing projects as well as the status of receivables and circular debt.
Addressing the meeting, the prime minister said he will progressively reduce load shedding through more generation and better management.
The meeting was informed that during the last one month due to better management Ministry of Water and Power has saved Rs 27 billion in power sector which will be helpful in giving relief to the consumers in near future.
The prime minister was also briefed that the Qatari government has given a very encouraging response to Pakistan’s request for LNG and Qatari companies are also interested and willing to invest in pipelines and gas-based power plants.
The meeting decided that GENCOs and furnace oil based IPPs would be replaced by efficient gas-based or coal-based plants. It was also agreed that there will be diversification of fuel to avoid dependence on one fuel.
Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Mohammad Asif, Minister of State for Petroleum Jam Kamal Khan, Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali, Advisor to PM on National Security Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi attended the meeting along with other senior government officials.
DUTY-FREE SOLAR PANELS:
Moreover, in a major decision to overcome the energy crisis and provide cheap alternate source of energy, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has allowed private sector to import duty free solar panels.
The prime minister gave the approval on the recommendations of the Committee on Alternate Energy Resources headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
The Federal Board of Revenue has issued necessary instructions to relevant Customs Departments in this regard.
The Alternate Energy Board was of the view that the local manufacturing is limited and lacks the required international certification and standards. It also recommended waiving off import duty on solar panels.
Solar Power Plants would help reduce extraordinary load on existing supply of power and reduction in load shedding.