Extra power generation to cost consumers up to Rs 25/unit: Parliamentary panel told

The Ministry of Water and Power has revealed before a parliamentary forum that the country enjoys the power generation capacity for meeting the suppressed demand of electricity, but additional generation would cost consumers up to Rs25 per unit. The Ministry of Water and Power arranged a comprehensive briefing on the affairs and issues of distribution companies and problems being faced by the consumers.
Sardar Ashiq Hussain Gopang convened the meeting, while Additional Secretary Water and Power Umar Rasool briefed the parliamentary panel.
In the briefing, the Additional Secretary said that the government cannot utilise the full generation capacity unless old power plants are replaced. He said that the average generation capacity was 20,653MW against the demand of 23,000MW during summer seasons in the years 2015 and 2016; however, the government could generate only 16,700MW during hot seasons. As a result, the country had to face a shortfall of 5,000MW and six hours of load shedding. In winter, he argued, the water storage capacity came down; therefore, the generation capacity also dipped to 16,717 MW and shortfall in winter was recorded at 3,000MW.
He said that it was the decision of the government to keep old power plants shut as their cost production was up to Rs25 per unit, which was enormous. It became operational during peak season as consumers could not afford the cost, he said.
He said the actual shortfall against capacity was 3,000MW. Industry was provided 4,500MW.
The convenor observed that power generation capacity is available, but funds are not available or the governments remained unable to run these power plants.
He further said that it was strange that there was no load shedding during three days of Eid, which was celebrated during summer when power deficit touched around 5,000MW to 6,000MW. This meant that the issue was not power generation capacity but the replacement of old power plants.
Answering a question, Umar Rasool replied that it was the decision of the government to supply electricity to domestic consumers during the holy month of Ramadan and three days of Eid. The power supply was cut to industry during night shift in Ramadan, he added.
The Additional Secretary explained, "If we use old power plants for power generation then it would cost around Rs20 to 25 per unit. The cost of per unit of electricity is not affordable."
Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), new energy projects would be installed and 7,000MW additional power would be added into the system by July 2017 and 12,000MW by end of 2018. These plants are near completion as 80 per cent work has been done, he added.
Responding to the convener on a question about additional electricity added in the system in 2016, the Additional Secretary said that the government made Nandipur Power Plant operational and 500MW of solar/wind energy are also added in the system in 2016.
He further said the government also enhanced generation capacity of Tarbela and Mangla Dams with cooperation of the USAID. The capacity of Guddu Power plant was increased by two times as a new 747MW plant was installed. As many as 3,600MW capacity power plants are in a process of installation in Haveli Bahadur Shah, Bhikki Power Plant Sheikhupura and Balloki Power Plant. Engro (Thar) power plant (330 MW) would also be operational by mid-2018.
In addition to this, he said that the Neelum-Jhelum power plants would start production by end of December 2016 or January 2017. Two nuclear power plants would be completed in 2017. He said the government has targeted to add additional power of 30,000 MW by the year 2021-22.
The official of Ministry of Water and Power told the committee members that there would be zero loadshedding by summer 2018.