Get ready for loadshedding, Ashraf tells nation

LAHORE - Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who himself set deadline to end loadshedding till this December, on Friday appeared before the media to tell the nation that they should get ready to face loadshedding once again.
It (loadshedding) is necessary and unavoidable, he told reporters while addressing a press conference here at Wapda House. However, he unwillingly conceded that the country would face a shortfall of 1000 MW to 1200 MW, and loadshedding would be necessary. However, he again promised to keep it to minimum. Not enough, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf blamed the media and society for his failure to meet loadshedding deadline. Let me tell you frankly, the media and civil society unleashed anti-rental power propaganda, scaring the investors away. As if it was not enough, terror threat drove the proverbial last nail and most of the plants got delayed, the Minister explained. With propaganda floodgates opened, the government referred the entire process to Asian Development Bank, which has now cleared eight of 13 projects. It only vindicates my point of view, he claimed but conveniently ignored the fact that five projects were rejected and he did not bother to explain the reason of their rejection.
He said that Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) has been instructed to save export-based industry from loadshedding, and it would need to pass the load to domestic consumers during five-week national desilting drive, when hydel generation dips to the minimum.
Listing his efforts to end power crisis, the minister claimed that the government has almost managed to clear the circular debt, which had total impact of Rs400 billion. Similarly, the conservation campaign served the purpose and anti-theft steps were also bearing fruit. Nevertheless, there is lot of space for improvement in anti-theft drive, and the government was considering to appoint even magistrates for such assignment. All those involved in power theft, including Pepco officials, would be taken to task, without exception, Raja warned.
During the last six months, three independent power producers (IPPs) have been inducted that provided 600 MW relief. Three more would come online in next six months. But, the Pepco crises are accentuated by gas supply problems during winter. The supply stop affects both cost of production and generation. With gas, the generation plants become more 25 per cent more efficient and 33 per cent cost effective. With gas stoppage, the company has to absorb double impact, he said.
About port handling problems of oil for the existing and new plants, he said that Pakistan Sate Oil (PSO) has assured supply and it was also expanding facilities at the port. On top of it, every plant also puts up it own supply channels. Thus, I dont see any oil supply problem for the existing and new plants, the minister claimed.
The newsmen, however, kept dogging on the loadshedding issue, which he was at pain to explain. Of eight rental plants cleared by the ADB, four were approved by the previous regime. But the entire issue was thrown at the PPP government and massive propaganda campaign was launched against it.
The minister, however, agreed that the Alternative Energy Board has not done anything in the last five years. It has now been re-activated and was working on wind and coal energy projects, which would, hopefully, soon yield good results, he said.