ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan Thursday observed there is a dire need to put energy emergency to overcome loadshedding in the country as the country has a capacity to generate 21000 to 22000 Mega Watts while the production was less than the capacity.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed hearing in a suo moto case regarding loadshedding and energy crisis in the country.
The bench noted that even though the country has a capacity to generate electricity then what kinds of elements which were creating obstacles to do the needful.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that no one was serious to tackle the issue which was the most crucial thing at the moment.
"There is a need to put energy emergency in the country to meet the demands", the CJ stated.
During the course of proceeding, Advocate Iftikhar Gilani apprised the court that Managing Director PEPCO Zaigham has been given additional charge of National Transmission & Dispatch Company (NTDC) Limited, thus being overburdened, he would submit the report in next hearing.
Representative of Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) informed the court that internationally solar and wind energy sources are cheaper as compared to the others.
Chief Justice stated that nothing had been done by the board and all the things were only on papers as the board has only installed a few wind mills in Sindh and nothing else.
Iftikhar Chaudhry questioned that why they were not focusing on geo-thermal energy production.
AEDB representative replied that this technique was not appreciated internationally and even by India where they were generating 18000 MW from wind, 3000 MW from hydro and 1000 MW from solar energy.
Chief Justice stated that the only need was to be sincere with the effort to do something.
AEDB representative replied that they had a board containing 18 members adding that all of them were retired secretaries and none was a professional.
Chief Justice replied that if they were facing any problem regarding the law making, the board should consult the government and show their seriousness.
MD PEPCO apprised the court that at the moment the total power production in the country was 10131 MW while the shortage was 3500 MW.
The Chief stated that it was beyond understanding that why was there a shortage even in a situation when the total capacity of electricity generation was 21000 to 22000 MW.
MD PEPCO stated that it was due to the power theft and pilferage by the people which was very difficult to overcome.
The bench suggested to opt the smart meters and pre-paid system to overcome power theft.
Giving example of power theft, MD PEPCO stated that only in Sukkur the losses were 39.2 per cent, while in Lahore it is 8 per cent.
Later, the court while issuing notice to Secretary Finance regarding the financial burden on the economy on generating electricity.
The court also issued notices to SNGPL and SSGC to apprise the court regarding the gas load management in the country and adjourned further hearing for one week.
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