ISLAMABAD, Jul 27 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said the present government added 1708 megawatts to the national grid while additional 2000 megawatts are planned to be included during the current year. In his opening remarks at the energy review meeting here on Tuesday at PM Secretariat, the Prime Minister stated that government of Pakistan was making strenuous efforts to bridge the gap between demand and supply, yet there were several challenges which had to be tackled with a well thought out national approach.
The Prime Minister appreciated the public and provincial governments’ cooperation for participating in the efforts of power conservation in national interest.
He acknowledged both the federal and the provincial governments had shown high commitment in implementing the conservation measures. He thanked the Chief Ministers and their respective teams for demonstrating such support and commitment.
Welcoming the Chief Ministers, Federal & Provincial Ministers and other participants in the meeting convened to review implementation of the Energy Summit decisions and evaluate the desirability of their continuity beyond 31st July 2010, the Prime Minister observed that the crisis has imposed heavy costs on economy and people have to endure long hours of loadshedding.
As you know, he added, the country has been in the grip of a persistent energy crisis since the last several years.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the Energy Summit was held in April this year to evolve national consensus and mobilize public support for the future energy roadmap of the country, particularly the conservation measures to provide immediate relief in the situation.
He said the summit was a major success for the political leadership of this country. For the first time ever national consensus was achieved on the national energy roadmap, he added. Subsequently, he said that the Energy Summit decisions were reviewed on 10th May 2010 and it was decided to reinforce their implementation to ensure immediate relief in energy situation in the country.
The Prime Minister pointed out that there are still gaps in implementation of some conservation measures. Notwithstanding these gaps, he added, impact of the conservation measures has been impressive. He observed that the situation this year is better than the last year.
He pointed out that about 1500 megawatts electricity is reportedly being saved per day. He mentioned that saving due to Saturday closure is reportedly 500 MW which has provided the much needed relief to industry, agriculture and household consumers.
He further said that in financial terms, the government is saving about US $ 150 billion in operating costs.
The Prime Minister apprised the meeting that recently the government of Pakistan jointly evolved an energy roadmap to eliminate loadshedding in the country which will be presented to the Inter-Ministerial Committee of FODP in October this year for funding and technical support of the international community.
He said government of Pakistan is making strenuous efforts to bridge the gap between demand and supply, yet there are several challenges which have to be tackled with the well thought out national approach.
The Prime Minister said the government is making all-out efforts to bridge the gap between demand and supply. He appreciated that the approval of Diamir Bhasha Dam by the Council of Common Interest is a milestone.
He pointed out that the Dam will provide 4500 MW of power, in addition to the much needed water storage capacity for agriculture.
The Prime Minister said the government announced a Vision Statement for the power sector which envisages addition of 20000 MW by 2020. He further said that the new vision depends heavily on use of indigenous fuel resources like coal, hydel, gas and renewables.
He hoped that the World Bank would come out strongly in support of this vision with a higher financial outlay.
He informed the participants that the government was given the understanding that the World Bank had agreed to provide support for coal-based power projects.
He asked the Ministry of Water and Power to provide necessary support for infrastructure development in Thar Coal area.
The Prime Minister appreciated the public and provincial governments’ cooperation for participating in the efforts of power conservation in national interest.
He acknowledged both the federal and the provincial governments had shown high commitment in implementing the conservation measures. He thanked the Chief Ministers and their respective teams for demonstrating such support and commitment.
Welcoming the Chief Ministers, Federal & Provincial Ministers and other participants in the meeting convened to review implementation of the Energy Summit decisions and evaluate the desirability of their continuity beyond 31st July 2010, the Prime Minister observed that the crisis has imposed heavy costs on economy and people have to endure long hours of loadshedding.
As you know, he added, the country has been in the grip of a persistent energy crisis since the last several years.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the Energy Summit was held in April this year to evolve national consensus and mobilize public support for the future energy roadmap of the country, particularly the conservation measures to provide immediate relief in the situation.
He said the summit was a major success for the political leadership of this country. For the first time ever national consensus was achieved on the national energy roadmap, he added. Subsequently, he said that the Energy Summit decisions were reviewed on 10th May 2010 and it was decided to reinforce their implementation to ensure immediate relief in energy situation in the country.
The Prime Minister pointed out that there are still gaps in implementation of some conservation measures. Notwithstanding these gaps, he added, impact of the conservation measures has been impressive. He observed that the situation this year is better than the last year.
He pointed out that about 1500 megawatts electricity is reportedly being saved per day. He mentioned that saving due to Saturday closure is reportedly 500 MW which has provided the much needed relief to industry, agriculture and household consumers.
He further said that in financial terms, the government is saving about US $ 150 billion in operating costs.
The Prime Minister apprised the meeting that recently the government of Pakistan jointly evolved an energy roadmap to eliminate loadshedding in the country which will be presented to the Inter-Ministerial Committee of FODP in October this year for funding and technical support of the international community.
He said government of Pakistan is making strenuous efforts to bridge the gap between demand and supply, yet there are several challenges which have to be tackled with the well thought out national approach.
The Prime Minister said the government is making all-out efforts to bridge the gap between demand and supply. He appreciated that the approval of Diamir Bhasha Dam by the Council of Common Interest is a milestone.
He pointed out that the Dam will provide 4500 MW of power, in addition to the much needed water storage capacity for agriculture.
The Prime Minister said the government announced a Vision Statement for the power sector which envisages addition of 20000 MW by 2020. He further said that the new vision depends heavily on use of indigenous fuel resources like coal, hydel, gas and renewables.
He hoped that the World Bank would come out strongly in support of this vision with a higher financial outlay.
He informed the participants that the government was given the understanding that the World Bank had agreed to provide support for coal-based power projects.
He asked the Ministry of Water and Power to provide necessary support for infrastructure development in Thar Coal area.
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