Islamabad :
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was informed on Thursday that 27 power plants with a combined generating capacity of more than 7,000 MW are unable to operate due to technical problems or fuel shortage at a time when citizens across the country are facing power outages.
According to a report, the Ministry of Energy presented a list of these power plants during the briefing and blamed the lack of proper direction and lack of political support for fuel arrangements.
It was clarified that 9 large power plants with a generating capacity of 3,535 MW were not functioning due to lack of fuel, including four plants which were shut down due to shortage of LNG, two furnaces. Closed due to oil shortages, low coal inventory and expiration of a gas supply agreement.
In addition, 18 other plants were not available for a long time due to technical glitches and lack of repair and maintenance.
Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who has held the portfolio of the Ministry of Petroleum in the past, pointed out during the briefing that there is a complete lack of coordination between the Ministry of Energy’s Petroleum and Power Division and prioritizing the issue over wasting time on blaming. The basics must be addressed at the outset.
He suggested that the Power Division should immediately come up with a forecast of its demand to see what could be done immediately in consultation with the Petroleum Division and to come up with a mechanism for such planning and arrangements. It must be followed.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif requested Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to volunteer his time and expertise and advise both the divisions in this regard as it seems to be a serious issue and cannot be ignored.
A source who attended the meeting said that the briefing of the Ministry of Energy looks like a charge sheet against the political leaders of the past as it was explained that there would be no shortage of electricity but the plants were shut down due to fuel and technical constraints. Are
The meeting was informed that the previous government did not take timely steps to rectify the technical faults or arrange spare parts for repairs nor did it follow proper maintenance procedures. Most of the faults were of administrative nature but Some included policy issues.
The Prime Minister expressed frustration over the overall situation and lamented that citizens across the country faced hours of long load shedding, while power plants were shut down for one reason or another even though they were unable to generate electricity during these difficult times. Should have been available for
The Prime Minister directed the Power Division and related companies to take immediate action to address these challenges and said that such negligence was unacceptable. Can’t stand the situation.
Sources said that the Prime Minister will hold a series of sessions of fuel and electricity providers and producers in the next two days.
According to a presentation, the 210 MW Liberty Power Plant has been shut down since December 18 due to non-payment of funds by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited due to non-payment of revolving loan funds.
In addition, four plants with a combined capacity of 1200 MW, including Rosh, Nandipur, Fuji Kabirwala and gas turbine Faisalabad, have been out of the system since December 13 due to unavailability of regasified LNG.
In addition, the 120 MW Habibullah Coastal Power Plant is also not functioning due to expiration of gas contract in October 2019. Apart from this, 550 MW Jamshoro and 840 MW Muzaffargarh plants are also not working due to unavailability of furnace oil. Due to be closed since April 8.
It was not immediately clear how long the plants would remain out of the system.
The 620 MW coal-fired power plant in Sahiwal has not been operational since March 20 due to shortage of coal but is expected to be operational again by April 20.
In addition, 18 plants with a total capacity of 3,605 MW are not functioning due to technical reasons and some of them have been out of order for more than a year. To be done and added to the system immediately.
