Govt added 11461 MW of electricity to national grid: PM
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi says the PML-N government has successfully overcome the challenge of power shortage by adding 11461 megawatt of electricity to the national grid.
He was addressing a news conference in Islamabad today along with Minister for Power Awais Leghari and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb to present his government's performance in energy sector.
The Prime Minister said the country's power generation capacity increased from 18,753 MW in 2013 to 28,704 MW this year. He said in July 2013, 9.9 billion units were produced, whereas in July this year, the actual production will rise to 14.6 billion units, showing an increase of 4.75 billion units.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the situation of electricity availability during this Ramazan is much better than that of the previous years. He said there is zero load-shedding in 90 percent areas during the peak hours.
He said two to four hours load-shedding is being carried out in the 10 percent feeders where high losses are reported.
The Prime Minister said a minor shortfall of about 362 MW is likely to be faced next month. He said the demand is expected to be 22538 MW and generation 22175 MW. He said in July, there will be shortfall of about 403 MW. He said this shortfall is expected due to decrease in water supply. He said after July, the country will have surplus energy.
The Prime Minister said the government has addressed the electricity issue keeping in view the the future demand. He said 10687 MW will be added to the national grid in the next thre years, while another 17119 MW will be generated in the folloiwng five years. He said the government has initiated projects to meet the country's energy demand till 2025.
Explaining the electricity demand and supply issue, the Prime Minister said since additional electricity was being produced during the PML-N government, its demand also rose by 25 percent. He said the highest electricity demand was recorded yesterday at 24800 MW, which is a record.
He said power consumption increased by 45 percent during the last five years.
The Prime Minister said hydropower electricity generation decreased by 3000MW in May this year as compared to the corresponding period last year due to of low water inflow in the dams. Replying to a question, the prime minister said the Council of Common Interests has approved Pakistan's first ever water policy, which is to be implemented now. He said two water reserviors namely Bhasha and Mohmand dams are to be built to meet water challenge in the country.
To another question, he said we are going to leave less circular debt than we inherited in 2013.
AP
