Cabinet approves expansion of advanced power metering project

October 19, 2022 (MLN): The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the expansion of the current installation of the advance meters project in Islamabad to other areas of the country to overcome the issue of line losses.

The cabinet also approved the installation of advanced meters on power transformers.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif wherein he directed for preparation of a list of corrupt officers in the power distribution companies and deputing of well-reputed officers on different posts to improve the functioning of these companies, reduce the line losses and ensure better public delivery.

He observed that such performing offices should be encouraged with appreciation and awards, as reported by APP.

The cabinet was given a detailed briefing by the Power Division regarding electricity theft, line losses, and the comprehensive strategy to reduce them.

The meeting was also apprised of the power theft, line losses, bills, and recovery in the DISCOS with the presentation of all the relevant data, besides, issues in the way of recovery from those feeders which had been running into losses and the steps and proposals in this regard.

The prime minister directed the power division to present in the next meeting a comprehensive report on the vacant posts of essential staff in the DISCOs and stressed that the employment process should be held transparent while bringing it at par with the best global practices.

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the average 7% line losses, the prime minister set up a committee headed by Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif for the formulation of a comprehensive plan to reduce the line losses average under phases and in line with the global practices immediately, besides submission of recommendations to bring reforms in the power distribution companies.

The cabinet also approved the recommendation of the power division for the promotion of low-cost solar power energy initiatives throughout the country to replace the import of costly fuel.

These steps included running the existing power units on solar energy during the day time instead of using costly imported fuel, grant of permission to the private investors on a small level to install 11 KV feeders in the rural areas, and shifting the government-owned buildings to the solar energy system, it added.

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