Government hints at hike in power tariff

ISLAMABAD - Hinting at possible increase in power tariff, Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday told the National Assembly that power situation in the country would improve by January 31 and loadshedding would end completely by December 2009.
He also told that water supply from Terbela and Mangla dams would improve by January 31 after which power supply situation in the country would also improve. He further said that the government is considering about biogas, solar, wind and nuclear energy as alternate sources of energy to overcome the loadshedding.
"IPPs have started their work and all their dues would be cleared by June. Eight to nine years are needed to complete one hydel power project but we are trying to complete them as soon as possible", the minister said.
He further stated that Turkish Naval Ship would start supply of 4100MW electricity within 180 days. Electricity ranging between 500 to 700MW is being saved through energy savers and over 3500MW electricity would be generated by the end of the current year, he said. He also added that the government would cooperate if any department wants to execute biogas project.
He further stated that 23000 acres land in Sindh were given to different companies on lease to generate electricity through windmill and 24 companies had carried out work and prepared feasibility reports. Such projects would be initiated at lands where cultivation is not possible, Pervez Ashraf told the Lower House.
He also informed that the construction of Diamer-Basha Dam will start in 2009 and detailed engineering design of the project has been approved by WAPDA.
"The construction period of the project is seven years. The consultants are now working on pre-construction activities and PC-I of the project is under preparation, which will be submitted to the Planning Commission for approval and financing is being lined up and the government is in contact with IFIs" the minister told.
Talking of Munda Dam, the minister said that the construction would start after completion of the detailed engineering design and preparation of tender documents would follow the approval of the federal government and availability of funding.
He further told that the first wind power plant of Pakistan would start production by first the week of February 2009 at Jhimpir, Sindh. The project is being developed by Zorlu Energy, a Turkish company, and will be completed in two phases.
He said that presently 18 hydel power stations, to be constructed by public sector on 15 rivers with a cumulative capacity of 18848MW, have been proposed. He further disclosed that 20 hydel power stations, to be constructed by private sector on the rivers of Jhelum, Poonch, Swat, Kunhar, Kandiah, Panjkora, Lukhto and Tirich Gol with a cumulative capacity of 4809MW, have also been proposed.
"The average quantum of electricity deficit in the country during the last five days was about 40MKWH daily, which necessitates around 1700MW load management every hour. The load management is distributed among all DISCOs of PEPCO System on the basis of their shares of total demand," the minister said. The government has taken a number of steps to install thermal, hydro, rental and coal power generation schemes in public and private sector to overcome the deficit of electricity in the country, the minister further revealed.
"It is expected that with addition of about 3500MW by December 2009, the deficit will be eliminated. There would be continuous addition of new plants thereafter in the medium and long-term strategy, Raja Pervez Ashraf said.
Answering a question, the minister that five utilized gas turbines plants, gifted by the government of UAE to Pakistan, would reach the country soon and they would produce 240MW electricity. The plants, he said, would be installed in Guddu, Jamshoro, Dado and other areas where gas is available.