National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
Monday directed timely completion of different ongoing power
projects across the country and said he would personally monitor the
progress to ensure it.
Chairing meeting of Cabinet Committee on Energy here at the
PM House, the Prime Minister said significant addition of power to
the national grid would minimize load-shedding. He said increased
power generation would also contribute to economic growth through
increased industrial activity.
Federal Secretary Water and Power briefed the meeting that the
year 2015 remained most stable as well as the best period for
generation of power during the last ten years due to lowest line
losses in terms of technicalities and recovery.
There was 5.8% reduction in the line losses during the Year
due to better monitoring and robust strategy to eliminate corruption
and leakages, the Secretary told the meeting.
The Prime Minister was informed that there was an increase of
Rs. 51 billion in recoveries while Rs.10 billion were saved due to
decrease in line losses.
Secretary Water and Power said due to better generation cost
and monitoring Rs. 57 billion were saved.
The meeting was informed that fuel stocks in the country were
in excellent shape; peak generation of power was 17000 MWs last year
as a result of better efficiency and management.
He said year 2015 was the only year that witnessed the start
of facilitation to new IPPs that would generate 12000 MWs of
electricity.
The Prime Minister was briefed about timeline of different
power projects to be completed by end of 2016 and those that would
be operational by end of 2017.
The meeting was assured of active and available 9090 MWs
addition to the National Grid by the winters of 2017.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Muhammad
Ishaq Dar, Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Minister
for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Minister for Planning Ahsan
Iqbal, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Minister for
Water & Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif and senior officials.