Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Monday said that 2015 remained a good year for the power sector as the total recoveries from consumers stood at 93 per cent against 88 per cent last year.
The minister, in a statement here, said that in December, maximum recoveries were made, bringing the annual recoveries to 93 per cent resulting in benefit of Rs 56 billion on this account only.
The minister said that the losses also went down from 19 per cent to 17.9 per cent during the period resulting in benefit of around Rs 12 billion.
“We are Rs 68 billion higher in revenue in 2015 despite reducing monthly tariff,” he said.
Asif said that Rs 49 billion was also saved on account of oil consumption owing to merit order generation.
He said the government also succeeded to cap the circular debt since November 2014 and kept it in the band of Rs 310-330 billion.
Meanwhile, Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch Monday informed the National Assembly that around 18,000 megawatt of electricity will be added to the national grid soon.
During the Question Hour, the minister said the present government has launched several power projects based on various technologies and fuels.
Qadir Baloch said that in private sector, Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) was processing projects based on hydro, coal and R-LNG with cumulative capacity of 7550 to 8050 megawatt to facilitate foreign investment to the tune of 11,028 million dollars.
The minister said Alternative Energy Development Board was also pursuing development of renewable energy based power projects.
He said that nine wind power projects of total capacity of 477 megawatt had already achieved financial close and are under construction.
Baloch said that several solar and biomass based power generation projects had also been launched.
To another question regarding Balochistan, the minister said that after completion and energization of two, 220 KV projects Dadu-Khuzdar and D.G Khan-Loralai, during June 2014 and August 2014 respectively, there is no low voltage problem in any area of Balochistan.
Qadir Baloch said that load shedding schedule is prepared and implemented as per availability of quota and recovery or losses position.
The minister said that for further power dispersal strengthening of network capability work on two new 132 KV double circuit transmission lines Loralai-Quetta Industrial-II and Khuzdar Mastung was in full swing and after its completion it was hoped that it will definitely help in reducing load shedding in the province.
Qadir Baloch clarified that Nandipur Power Project is fully functional while Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project will be completed by July next year.
He said that the expansion of Mangla Power Project will be completed in the next one and a half year.
