July 31, 2023 (MLN): Over the last 15 months, 5,063 Megawatt (MWs) of electricity is added to the national grid, Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir stated while addressing a news conference today.
Out of the total 5,063MWs, 1,980MWs from Thar Coal, 720 MWs from the Karot Hydropower project, 1,100 MWs from the K-3 nuclear power plant, and 1,263 MWs from the Haveli Bahadar Shah RLNG plant.
He said criminal negligence was meted out to the completion of these power projects by the previous government.
Khurram Dastgir said that it was because of the enhancement in electricity generation capacity that the power supply situation during this summer season remained better when compared with the past year.
“We have also inaugurated a project for the import of 100 MWs of electricity from Iran for Gwadar,” he added.
He further said that the Thar-Matiari transmission line is also operationalized for the supply of electricity from Thar coal projects.
He said work on three more transmission lines is in progress to improve the transmission system.
Moreover, the circular debt which was standing at a record level of Rs2.47 trillion in March last year, has been brought down by Rs157 billion to Rs2.310 trillion.
He further highlighted that the government is now focusing on renewable energy and that the solar power projects will be offered to friendly countries in the Gulf countries this week for investment.
He was confident that the solar projects will attract massive investment.
Responding to a question, the Minister for Power clarified that no increase has been made in the power tariff of those who use less than 200 units per month.
