Energy conservation plan yielding good results

By Zeeshan Javaid

ISLAMABAD: The energy conservation strategy chalked out by Federal Ministry for Water and Power has started yielding positive result and the country's industrial sector has been exempted from load shedding. The Federal Ministry for Water and Power has directed all power distributing companies to reduce duration of load shedding for domestic consumers forthwith. Sources in the ministry informed Daily Times that the electricity shortfall has reduced due to energy conservation plan of government as well as visible change in weather.

The electricity shortfall, which was 5000 megawatt some two weeks back, has now reduced to 4000 megawatt and it is expected that it would be reduced more in upcoming days, sources added.

A spokesman of federal ministry for water and power said, Bhakal rental power plant has also started generating 72 megawatt. The plant was closed due to unavailability of gas. According to spokesman, 700-megawatt electricity is being supplied to Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC).

There would be considerable improvement in production of Hydel electricity in upcoming days, as water level in Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma barrage also reordered an increase, he said.

The first rental power plant of incumbent government would also start generating electricity of around 150 megawatt electricity in Faisalabad soon. He said Japan would also provide $260 million for upgradation of current transmission line and grid station. After upgradation of current transmission line and grid station, line losses would also be reduced.

The US has also announced to provide $51 million for upgradation of thermal power stations and the said amount would be utilised for upgradation of power stations in Jamshoro, Guddu and Muzafargarh and it would generate 305 megawatt electricity, the spokesman said. Federal Secretary Water and Power Shahid Rafi is in contact with the US administration and he also struck an agreement with the US aid administration regarding upgradation of power stations in Pakistan, the spokesman added.

Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is also working to construct 32 small and major dams and 12 dams would be constructed by 2013 while the remaining 20 in 2014. The construction of 32 small and major dams would cost Rs 466 million, the spokesman said. We would also start taking 3000 megawatt electricity from Engro Power, Saif Power, Nishat Chunia and other independent power projects. The spokesman also lauded the role of federal and provincial department for their cooperation in energy conservation plan. "We are saving 800 to 1000 megawatt electricity due to energy conservation plan", he said.