Senate body for more hydel power generation

Earlier, the Ministry of Water and Power in its briefing informed the Senate body that unprecedented increase in the prices of oil in the international market had dealt a severe blow as nearly 69% electricity being generated in the country is thermal, which is dependent on imported oil.  The government is providing per unit subsidy of about Rs. 3.36 to consumers but this situation can not go on forever. High percentage of line losses, thefts and frequent attacks on installations especially in Balochistan is further complicating the issue and compounding our problems, it informed.

Mindful of its responsibilities and aware of the potential, it informed that the future thrust of the government would be on improving the hydel and coal potential of the country.

“We aim at 15,000 MW generation from these sources by 2016, adding, work on Neelam-Jhelum project has already begun.”  The Committee also constituted a sub-committee headed by Senator Dr. Javaid Laghari to look into the problem of frequent power outages in Karachi with senators Abdul Razak A. Thahim, Muhammad Amin Dadabhoy and Ms. Agha Pari Gul as members.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Senators Muhammad Amjad Abbas Muhammad Amin Dadabhoy, Ms. Agha Pari Gul, Saleem Saifullah Khan, Abdul Razak A. Thahim, Maulana Rahat Hussain, Raza Muhammad Raza, Maulana Gul Naseeb, Dr. Javaid Laghari and Senator Sardar Muhammad Jamal Khan Leghari and senior officials of the Ministry of Water and Power and WAPDA.