Power sector: Cabinet expresses annoyance at ''figure fudging''

The federal cabinet has expressed serious annoyance at "figure fudging" by the Power Division with respect to electricity generation and non availability of adequate infrastructure for evacuation of extra electricity likely to be produced in the coming months, official sources told Business Recorder.
Power Division, in its presentation to the cabinet on January 10, 2018 on power system constraints for upcoming summer and the requirements for upgradation of transmission and distribution system in the country revealed that for 132 KV lines, the peak demand during the year 2017 was 25,717 MW and they are forecasting that they would be able to supply 25,237 MW electricity during the peak months of 2018.
The report received from DISCOs for 132/66 KV networks indicates that for removal of 158 constraints, funds of Rs 7.663 billion would be required; and funds amounting of Rs 3.536billion are required for removal of 365 constraints of 11 KV feeders for load shedding free summer 2018. It was further revealed that total amount of Rs 32.716 billion is required for removal of constraints for distribution transformers - specifically to remove 11 KV Feeders and 132/66 KV network for summer 2018 against which Rs 19.069 billion is available with DISCOs, while additional amount of Ps.13.647 billion is required to complete the task within the given date of March 31, 2018.
According to sources, the cabinet was apprised that in order to reduce the line losses / theft of electricity, LT line needs to be replaced with Aril Bundle Cable (ABC) of 19,686 KM with an additional amount of Rs 11.811billion. It was also stated that after the completion of four projects, ie Neelum Jehlum, Tarbella Dam-4 and 3 RLNG projects, the country would be able to meet the requirements of electricity in the upcoming summer season.
The sources further stated that the members of federal cabinet who belong to different areas of the country and are preparing for general elections did not appear to be satisfied with the performance of Power Division and allied organisations, like Pepco, NTDC, CPPA and Discos.
The members of the cabinet expressed following observation about the electricity situation in the coming summer: (i) additional funds required for the purpose should be met by the DISCOs from their own sources by decreasing the line losses and recovery of outstanding amount from the defaulters;(ii) The Ministry of Water and Power had given presentations in the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) in 2016 and onwards regarding requirements of funds and figures which do not match the figures given in the current presentation. The sources said, the then Prime Minister had reportedly snubbed the then top brass of Water and Power Ministry on figure fudging and ordered an inquiry to fix responsibility.
However, the officials of Water and Power Ministry not only delayed the inquiry but also exonerated responsible officials by giving different justifications.
Federal cabinet argued that Power Division has to follow PPRA Rules and for this purpose they would require international bidding, for which time frame of 45 days has been provided in the rules and thereafter 45 days for processing of bidding. It was thus presumed that they would not be able to complete the task by the given timeframe ie March 31, 2018.