ISLAMABAD: The previous PML-N government had borrowed Rs180 billion tofinance the circular debt and started recovering this amount from the powerconsumers in the form of surcharges in their electricity bills, FinanceMinistry on Tuesday informed the Senate Special Committee on Circular Debt.link#_>
The Senate Special Committee on Circular Debt that met here on Tuesdayheaded by Senator Shibli Faraz was informed by the officials of the financeministry that previous government had taken Rs180 billion loans to financethe circular debt, but interestingly it is being recovered from powerconsumers in the form of surcharges.
Faraz said that the government never encouraged alternate energy sourcesnor the private sector has been supported to install such plants. He saidthat the government had deliberately discouraged this sector, as to exploitthe costly sources of energy.
Joint Secretary of Power Division Zargham said that there is no ban onpower generation from alternative sources and anybody can do business inthis sector.
CEO of the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) Amjad Awan said thataround 1036MWs alternative energy sources-based electricity is beingsupplied to the national grid. Solar PV power projects are generating430MWs and added that the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Plant has not beenfailed, it is also generating electricity. He further said that for 16Bagas-based power plants, tariff and generation licenses have been obtainedwhich have the capacity of 132.4MWs.
Awan said that regarding power generation from alternate sources, themasses have not been sensitized nor awareness campaign had been launched bythe government.
Shibli Faraz said to control power shortfall and circular debt, it isnecessary to convert these tube wells to solar system and also do effectivemonitoring of water table.