Managing Director (MD) Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) Rasool Khan Mehsud said on Tuesday that the power situation would be under control in a day or so, as the IRSA and SNGPL have agreed to increase water releases and gas supplies, respectively.
Talking to Business Recorder, the MD Pepco said the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) agreed with him on Tuesday to increase water releases to Tarbela and Mangla dams, likely to add 1,000MW to the system immediately. Similarly, he added, the SNGPL has also assured of supplying gas to thermal units for power generation soon. The SNGPL is committed to supply 1,076mmcfd a day.
On payment to the PSO, he said the Pepco has got commitments for payment of recoveries by different departments and the Pepco would be able to transfer sufficient amount to the PSO. However, he avoided to specify the amount Pepco is likely to pay PSO in a day or so. While restraining to comment, he said: "We would ensure maximum payment to the PSO."
The monthly bill of PSO stands at Rs 32 billion. The MD Pepco said the Pepco has already paid over Rs 10 billion to PSO during the current month. It may be noted that the press reports suggested on Tuesday that the power shortfall has reached 8,500MW due to delay in payments to smaller IPPs and Pakistan State Oil.
But the MD Pepco termed it as baseless and said the power shortfall on Tuesday was 5,000MW, though it had crossed the level of 6,000MW for a while during the day. Both the domestic and commercial consumers are facing unprecedented power deficit, as press reports suggest that over 40 percent Pakistan is without power. It is total chaos in the company; all nine distribution companies are blaming National Power Control Centre for switching off supplies without any warning and planning. When asked reasons behind sudden eruption of emergency like situation, Mehsud said multiple factors like appreciation in dollar value, floods in Sindh and prevailing socio-political situation have added fuel to the fire.
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