“There will be a visible reduction in power loadshedding during next 10 days as the thermal plants would start getting RLNG supply from May 1 and furnace oil from May 2,” announced Khurrum Dastagir in a press conference here.
Minister for power said that the government would require an amount of Rs 108b till May 25, Rs 136b till June 7 and Rs 85b till June 15 for power sector to address the issue of loadshedding. Flanked by Minister for State Hashim Notezai, Khurruam Dastagir said that the circular debt has reached Rs 2.46 trillion and blamed the PTI government for recent power outages that had failed to arrange the fuel for power plants.
The minister said it is not generation capacity problem rather technical and fuel issues have resulted in electricity shortage in the country. He said that due to fuel shortage around 5739MW is under force outage while 2156MW is out of system due to technical reasons.
He said that to boost power production the power plants would start getting RLNG supply from May 1 and the required quantity of furnace oil from May 2.
Minister claimed that there was zero loadshedding in the country when PML-N government had completed its five years tenure on May 31, 2018.
Khurram Dastagir hoped to witness a visible reduction in power loadshedding during next 10 days following enhanced supply of fuel and maintenance of plants.
He disclosed shortage of fuel supply and closures of power plants for maintenance purpose had led to power outages across the country. The plants with total 5,739 MW generation capacity were shut down following shortage of fuel supply.
They did not procure RLNG, coal and furnace oil to generate electricity. Some plants having 2156MW capacity were also shut down for routine and technical maintenance.
The minister further announced that from May 1, 300 MW Engro Power Plant and Port Qasim Power Plants would start generating electricity.
He said the previous government did not timely arrange fuel for the power plants causing power outage.
The minister said the incumbent government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will take all possible steps to curtail the menace of loadshedding.
The government has already formed teams in all power distribution companies (DISCOs) for prompt response to address the complaints during Eid.
He said the government had canceled leaves of staff to cope with any untoward situation. He further added government had given revenue target to all DISCOs. It also directed to enforce all possible steps to stop power theft.
The minister said the DISCOs have been directed to install all pending connections and ensured prompt addressal of consumers’ complaints.
Khurram Dastagir regretted violation of sanctity of Masjid e Nabvi (Peace Be Upon Him) and said it was a very unfortunate incident. He appreciated the Saudi authorities for taking immediate action. Agreement with K-Electric was on at advanced stage, he added. He said low efficient power plants would be phased out with energy efficient plants.