Govt has no quick remedy for power crisis

source: http://www.geo.tv/4-14-2008/16778.htm


Monday, April 14, 2008
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Monday told the National Assembly that the government has set target of 9700 Mega Watt of electricity generation by 2030 from alternative/ renewable energy sources.

"For achieving, Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) has initiated the Wind Power Generation Project through private sector."

Replying to a question during question hours, he said the government will encourage and facilitate the private entrepreneur for power generation through Wind Mill project and other alternate resources.

Pervaiz said that unfortunately the AEDB which was constituted for power generation through alternate resources, did not initiate even a single project during last five, six years.

He said there are various proposals under consideration and implementation for generation of electricity by alternative/renewable energy sources.

He said AEDB has electrified 1,762 remote off-grid homes in 31 villages in all provinces of the country through renewable energy technologies.

There are 51 proposals with a cumulative capacity of 13,335 MW are under consideration and process for setting up of powerhouses throughout the country in the private sector, he added.

These proposals are being processed by Private Power and Infrastructure Board, under the Ministry of Water and Power, he said.

He said the prevailing power crisis was erupted during the regime of previous government due to non execution of even a single power project.

He said there is gap between the system of demand and power available due to certain reasons including poor hydrological conditions, less availability of power IPPs, monumental increase in power consumption growth rate, non installation of new generating units by private sector and failure of private sector to deliver their promises.

He said due to these reasons PEPCO is carrying out load management to the tune of 3000 MW.

"It would take about six to seven months for improvement and three years completely end the prevailing power crisis facing by the country," he added.

To a supplementary question, Pervaiz said that as per National Power Plan 127 Power Generation Units were planned during1994 to 2018, but only two Uch and Ghazi Barotha Power Houses have been added during 1999-2007.