Caretaker PM directs ministry to curtail power losses

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister retired Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Power to take steps to curtail power sector losses so as to improve overall system efficiency and sustainability of the power sector. 

He gave this direction during a briefing on power sector in Islamabad today. The briefing was attended by Secretary Power division, managing directors of PEPCO and NTDC and other senior officials.

Secretary Power division briefed the interim PM on overall situation of the power sector including generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the country.

Justice Mulk was also briefed about the current as well as anticipated power demand and supply situation.

He was informed that as compared to 18,753 megawatt in 2013, the current generation capacity stands at 28704 megawatt. It was informed that due to weather conditions and the resultant reduced water supply, the hydel generation last month remained at 3090 MW as compared to 6333 MW in 2015.

It was informed that every effort is being made to ensure strict implementation of the load management plan which was approved by the Cabinet for the month of Ramazan.

The caretaker PM expressed concern over huge losses in various DISCOs and directed the Ministry of Power to immediately start taking steps to curtail these losses.

He said that every effort would be made by the federal government to get the required administrative support from the provincial government towards addressing enforcement issues in the power sector.

The premier further observed that a comprehensive plan should be prepared which would help the next elected government in further improving efficiency and sustainability of the sector.