Pepco, PPIB ordered to complete projects to end load shedding

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday directed Pepco and PPIB to complete fast track and rental power projects on time so that load shedding could be ended by December 2009. Presiding over a meeting convened to review the progress of water and power sector projects, he also asked the concerned authorities to monitor all the projects and submit report to him on weekly basis.

According to an official statement, the minister further directed Pepco and IPPs to improve their oil stocks to maximise power generation during the summer season. The meeting noted that there is no unscheduled and forced load shedding and the shortfall as of today was less than 1845 MW as compared to 2113 MW same day last year. This improvement has been possible due to effective measures taken by the government this year, the statement added.

The meeting decided to promote replacement of high consuming power equipments, currently being used in tube wells with new and efficient ones for better efficiency and less consumption of electricity. The minister stressed the need for energy conservation to save electricity for industrial and agriculture sectors. He also directed the Pepco to educate the masses on demand side management programme through media.

Earlier, the meeting was informed by Pepco and PPIB that 800 MW will be injected in the system by June this year and overall about 4000 MW by December 2009. Due to efforts of the government, a new power project of 165 MW by Attock Gen is being inaugurated Tuesday (tomorrow). Chairman Wapda and CEO AEDB also briefed the meeting on the progress of the projects being executed by them.

Later, talking to the media, the minister said that the target to bridge the gap between demand and supply will be achieved and there will be no load shedding by December 2009. He urged that the people should also cooperate and avoid unnecessary use of electricity in the offices, commercial centers and houses. He also asked the traders to close their shops early and switch off their 50 per cent lights voluntarily. To a question, he said that a proposal is under consideration to move forward clocks by one hour to ensure maximum use of day-light.