ISLAMABAD: The closure of AES Pak Gen and one unit of Uch Powerhouse has led to over 500MW power deficit which is why many areas of the country are being exposed to loadshedding.
However, the country had power shortage of 2,800MW in last year in the same period. According to a senior official at the Ministry of Water and Power, the boiler tube of the AES Pak Gen has become out of order owing to which Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) lost 350MW of electricity. The DESCON, a Pakistan-based company, is vigorously working to repair the boiler tube and experts are of the view that it might take three more days to make the AES Pak Gen operational.
The official said that the Uch power unit has also gone non-operational because of some faults in the plant and the experts have started the repair work to make it operational. This plant of 200MW is also likely to come on stream after three days. It means that in next three days the ongoing loadshedding in various parts of the country will continue.
When contacted, Pepco spokesman Tahir Basharat Cheema confirmed that AES Pak Gen and Uch power plant were closed owing to some technical faults, which would be repaired soon. To a question, he admitted that some loadshedding was being passed on to end consumers to meet the shortfall of over 500MW. However, he said Pepco has performed tremendously in providing the power supply as in last year Pepco was faced with 2,800MW in this period. He said Pepco is getting ample hydrogenation of 1,700MW in daytime and 4,000MW after the sunset. The remaining electricity is generated from thermal powerhouses, including 300MW of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant. The electricity demand stands at 12,146MW while the power generation was at 11,500MW.
Cheema also disclosed that two IPPS, Japan powerhouse and Sepcol, each of 110MW generation capacity, were closed since long as they were in litigation with the government and their creditors.
Pepco is currently supplying power of 550MW to 610MW on daily basis to Karachi Electric Supply Company despite the fact that Pepco is bound to provide only 250MW after the gas provision to KESC thermal power plants have been established.
He said that the two rental power plants, Vhiki and Sheikhupura plants, had been provided the gas some two days back. “This two rental plants would add 110MW electricity in the system.” When asked if the Pepco is facing any fuel supply constraints to run its thermal power plants, he said Pepco is right now in a comfort zone as far as fuel supply is concerned. He said the government is trying from pillar to post to arrange Rs98 billion through TFC (terms finance certificates) based on Kibor plus margin of 1 per cent to 4 per cent to erase the circular debt. He said the Finance Ministry is spearheading the drive to end the inter-circular debt in power sector by June 30, 2009.
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