October 16, 2018 (MLN): Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has announced that the government has decided to carry out an audit of all the power plants established by the previous government. Most of these power plants situated in Punjab are part of chinese ventures.
At a press conference following the meeting of Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), Fawad Chaudhry told the media at large, that the previous government had engaged into extremely high cost production of electricity.
He said that, “Quaid-e-Azam solar plant is the most expensive power plant in the world,” adding that an audit of 2 power plants has already begun.
Pressing on the subject, he further said that the electricity prices were increased by Rs.1.32 attributable to different power plants.
He went on to say that,” During its last two years, the PML-N government increased the power tariff to Rs15.53 per unit and were selling it for Rs11.71 per unit.”
Expressing his dismay, Chaudhry said “In winters, the government incurs losses of Rs.1.01 billion per day whereas during summers the government incurs losses of Rs.1.8 billion. Every month we are adding Rs.35 to Rs.36 billion in circular debt.”
He further explained that power tariffs are determined by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), and the organization has suggested the government to increase power tariffs in order to avoid weighing the circular debt on a daily basis.
As of now, the domestic demand for electricity has reached 14,000 MW.
