Sufficient electricity available in system to meet current, projected demand

ISLAMABAD: Sufficient power and generation capacity is available in the system to meet current as well as projected demand for the coming months. Official sources told APP here on Wednesday that owing to the efforts of incumbent government, over 7000MW electricity has already been added to the national grid system while around 17,000 megawatts electricity would be generated through China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

In 2013, the projects which were completed included New Bong Escape (84 MW), Allai Khwar (121 MW0, Khan Khwar (72 MW), Jinnah Hydel Unit No. 4, 5, 6,7 and 8 (60 MW), FFCEL (Wind 50 MW), Gomal Zam (17 MW), Devis (Gas 13 MW) and ZEPL (Wind 56 MW).

The project completed in 2014 were included Dubair Khawar (130 MW), Uch-II (Gas 393 MW), JDW-II and JDW-III (Bagasse (53 MW), TGF (Wind 50 MW), FWEL-II (Wind 50 MW) and Guddu (Gas 747 MW).

Some 717 MW electricity was added to the national grid during 2015 from the projects included RYKML (Bagasse 30 MW), FWEL-I (Wind 50 MW), Quaid Azam (Solar 100 MW), Nandipur (425 MW), Sapphire (Wind 50 MW) and Chiniot (Bagasse 62 MW).

Similarly, a total 920 MW electricity was added to the power generation system during 2016 and the projects were included APOLO Solar (100 MW), Best Green Solar (100 MW), Crest Energy Solar (100 MW), Younis (Wind 50 MW), Metro (Wind 50 MW), Tapal (Wind 30 MW), Master Wind (50 MW), Tenaga (Wind 50 MW), Gul Ahmed (Wind 50 MW) and Chashnupp III (Nuclear 340 MW).

The projects which were completed in 2017 included LNG based plants in Bhikki (800 MW), CHASHNUPP-IV (340 MW), LNG based Plants in Balloki (800 MW), Port Qasim Power Project Unit-1 (660 MW), Patrind Hydropower Project 147 (MW), (470 MW), Golen Gol, M/s United Energy Pakistan etc. They said recent power outage in some parts of the country was due to technical issues in the system of power distribution companies (DISCOs) rather than any shortage of power.

The Pakistan Muslim League (N) government since its inception gave top priority to cope with power shortage which had badly crippled economic growth of the country besides adding to the woes of the people.

Minister of State for Power Division Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali says that the electricity shortage was 7,000 MW on assumption of charge by present government in 2013.

Various long and short term measures were taken immediately to address energy crisis as per PML-N election manifesto, he said.

Abid said owing to the untiring efforts of PML-N leadership, the government attracted $46 billion foreign investment under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Out of the total, some $34 billion was being invested in energy related projects, which would not only help overcome the existing energy crisis faced by the country but would produce surplus electricity for the benefit of the country, he added.

Giving the details, the minister said, work on 600MW Engro Thar Coal project also continued on fast track which would produce 300 MW electricity by 2017 and additional 300 MW by 2018.

As many as 300MW would be added in the national gird from Salt Range Mine Mouth Power Project by end of 2018 while the Hubco would give 660 MW to national gird by 2018.

Work on Thar Block-I has also been initiated to produce 660 MW electricity by 2018 and additional 660 MW after the year 2018.

4500 MW Diamer Bhasha Dam, 720 MW Kerote Hydro Power Project and 870 MW Sukhi Kinari Hydro Power projects of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also in pipeline and were included in CPEC.

Tarbela 4th and 5th extension powers would add 2820 MW cheap hydel electricity to the national grid. With the addition of Tarbela 4th and 5th Extension projects, the total generation capacity of Tarbela would cross over 6000 MW. Tarbela 4th extension project was near to completion while tender for 5th extension had already been floated.