Fast track power projects rescheduled

Islamabad: The Ministry of Water and Power rescheduled a meeting on fast track power projects of 1500MW for Friday as most of the invitees failed to reach the ministry, sources close to the Ministry's Advisor said.

Only the Minister, Chairman of Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and Managing Director of PPIB were present for the meeting, besides low level staff of the ministry, the sources continued. 'Today, we discussed Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) issue, but did not even touch fast track power projects,' said one of the participants.

The sources reconfirmed that the government's plan to inject additional 1500 MW thermal power in Wapda and KESC systems on fast track basis is unlikely to materialise as tariff offered by most of the companies is on the higher side. A special committee, headed by Wapda Chairman Shakeel Durrani, which negotiated tariff and commercial operation data (COP) with the qualified companies, is expected to submit its report before the cabinet committee on Friday.

The sources said that though the team negotiated tariff and COD with all the qualified companies, yet only a few companies agreed to reduce the tariff and the others were reluctant. There were reports that PPIB made efforts to make a 'deal' with unqualified bidders with incomplete documents, but it did not succeed due to the presence of other ministries' officials in the committee, the sources added.

According to the press release, tailored to save face, stated that the minister, while reviewing the current power situation, expressed his satisfaction over the improved power supply during Sehar and Iftar timings, and directed all resources should be used to minimise the load shedding in Ramazan and thereafter. Disappointed with the invitees' attitude, the sources said, the ministry had rescheduled for Friday to discuss the recommendations of special committee, which would then be submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.