ISLAMABAD - The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCE) on Thursday noted that additional 1,000MW electricity would be added in the system in next few weeks, as hydel generation would enhance through expected monsoon rains in the country, officials said on Thursday.

Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, who is also chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Energy, chaired the Cabinet Committee meeting on Thursday. Officials of Water and Power Ministry briefed the committee regarding current power situation of the country.
Sources informed The Nation that Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh directed to increase the overall power generation to up to 14000MW so that power loadshedding could be reduced in the country. The committee was informed that power shortfall is over 4500MW in the country, which is likely to be reduced with the expected monsoon rains increasing the hydel generation in coming days.
Sources further informed that meeting was briefed that additional gas is supplied to the power companies, which would also increase the power generation in the country. Similarly, meeting was informed that country is expecting to receive monsoon rains in next few days, which would help in generating 1,000 power through hydel generation. The meeting was informed that addition of 1000MW electricity would reduce loadshedding in the holy month of Ramazan.
Sources informed that Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh has directed the Power Distribution Companies to recover power dues from defaulters including public and private sector departments so that issues of circular debt could be resolved.
According to sources, the meeting was ended in just one hour, which is likely to be held next week. It might be mentioned here that country is facing worst power loadshedding, as urban areas are facing 12 to 14 hours loadshedding and rural areas up to 20 hours.