Pakistan was supposed to have surplus power is November. It is November. And if surplus still carries the same meaning, they must have meant another November. Try blaming it on smog as much as you want, the buck eventually stops at ill-planning. To be facing load shedding reminiscent of summers in November, speaks volumes of the state, the power sector is in.
The situation may soon normalize, as the weather improves and demand goes down. The sheer mismanagement of issues at hand may also be soon forgotten, once power is back.
The government ministers tirelessly remind everyone of the thousand of megawatts that have been added to the grid in the last two years. Well done for that. They would be doing a great service if they also let know of how many thousands have been forgone as well.
Managing the winter demand, even with low hydel generation should never have been a problem. Not even with the issues at nuclear plants. The reason why it is looking so bad is because the transmission system is not just outdated, it is close to rotten. It cannot firmly stand the changes in weather. It trips in summers; it trips with smog, trips with a rain drop, and will soon be tripping on cue.
The country does need more generation. It also needs a better fuel mix for cheaper power. Decent ground has been made on this front, and the Cpec focus on generation will ensure Pakistan will have adequate power generation capacity, soon. But you do not fill a leaking bottle, and hope to quench your thirst.
It goes without saying that criminal negligence of decades of not building adequate water reservoirs is at the heart of the problem. Equally criminal is the inaction when it comes to dealing with the ailing transmission network. Nepra’s state of industry reports come and go every year, pinpointing where it is wrong and what needs to be done to fix the mess. But the generation-obsessed policymakers have failed miserably on this front, which is the core reason why the transmission system cannot even face smog. Tomorrow, it will cripple because of excess load, or humidity, or whatever other reason.
Mind you, the financial side of power affairs read a sorrier picture. The circular debt stands a shade away from Rs800 billion. Enough has been said and written on the reasons and way out of circular debt. There is nothing to show in terms of action on ground. Electricity will continue to be pricey, with all the interest payments, and surcharges embedded in tariffs. Should the oil prices show more teeth, the circular debt pile could reach a trillion rupee mark?
This column claims no expertise on technicalities of the subject. But it is clear that status quo on both transmission and power receivables, is not the answer.
Answers are well laid down by subject experts. It needs takers, political will, and clearer priorities. Summers will be here around the next general elections. Giving and missing load shedding deadlines proved a nightmare for the last government. This one has missed more than its fair share too.
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