Conference on Power Generation
Power-Gen Pak, April 06, 2007, Islamabad – Pakistan
Country’s Power Generation Capacity To Be Enhanced
ISLAMABAD – Secretary Water and Power Ashfaq Mehmood on Friday said the power generation capacity will be enhanced to meet the growing power demand in the country.
Addressing the conference on Power Generation issues, challenges and development “Power-Gen Pakistan-2007”, arranged by Energy Update, he said the government is committed to provide electricity to every nook and corner of the country.He said to cater to the energy needs of this developing economy, power generation resources have to be developed that can keep pace with the rapid rate of development. He said besides, plan for improvement and extension of transmission and distribution network are also being strengthened to provide quality power supply to consumers. He added the collaboration among all stakeholders will enable mutual consultation on issues and challenges for improving power generation infrastructure.
The secretary said the government is realizing the increasing trend of power demand in the country. “We have to expand power generation by considering all options to meet the challenges.” He added the government is working with ‘demand management option’ to overcome the situation. He said the government has started installation of energy meters.
“We have to change utilization pattern.” A balanced approach is needed for sustainability besides medium and long term plans, the secretary said. He said the government has planned to catch up the opportunities and numbers of steps have been taken to produce electricity which is directly linked with improving country’s economy. He said the initiative taken by Energy Update by arranging conference on important issue will help to produce valuable input for policy makers. He said human resource development is also important to meet the challenges in power sector as without having competent managers progress is not possible. “We must ensure specific energy conservation as losses in the system are very high,” Ashfaq Mehmood said.
Executive Director Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Kalim Siddiqui said rate of demand is growing than supply in the country which requires more power generation capacity. He said PSO is managing 80% of the country’s oil storage having 2,500 industrial customers including power plants. He said the PSO has adequate infrastructure for uninterrupted supply operation. He said supported by well established infrastructure built at par with international standards, the company has 68% oil marketing share in the country. He said alongside its retail business, PSO also caters to the fuel demand of industrial consumers that include power generation.
Chairman Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) Air Marshal (R) Shahid Hamid said the country is facing an energy crises and every crisis is an opportunity to rise to glory by accepting the challenges. He added meeting these challenges and depending on indigenous alternative energy resources is the need of the hour. He said by adopting option of alternative energy we would certainly help in meeting the current energy shortfall in the country. He said the Board has accepted the challenge and striving to realize the vision of President and Prime Minister by fully utilizing alternative energy resources available in the country.
Chief Executive Orient Power Nadeem Baber said building of some big dams is necessity while coordinated long term policy is absolutely essential for energy security. He said in order to meet challenges and to involve private sector, strong legal system should be developed besides clear policy and timely decisions and positive macroeconomic environment. Secretary AEDB Brig. Dr. Naseem Ahmad said due to policies of present government investors are coming in alternative energy sector and the government has attracted an investment in wind, waste to power, tidal energy and small hydro. He said after receiving licences from NEPRA five companies will start construction work this year while they will be able to generate 250 MW within two years. He said Government of Sindh has reserved 100,000 acres land for wind power for additional investment in the area.
Shahjahan Mirza of Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) said a number of foreign investors have expressed interest in setting up power generation projects that would exploit country’s indigenous resources including hydel and wind. He said under its new policy there is better balance of risk and reward. Managing Editor Energy Update Naeem Qureshi, Director General I&P National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Hussain Babar, CEO ABB Farhat Ali, Director General Sindh Coal Authority Abbas Ali Shah and Deputy General Manager ABB (Pvt) Ltd Aqeel Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.
