RPPs project may be delayed: Ashraf

Water and Power Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.-APP file

ISLAMABAD: Installation of some rental power plants (RPPs) may be delayed because of opposition by some political parties and investors’ fear about political uncertainty in the country, Water and Power Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said on Saturday.

Talking to journalists after chairing a meeting of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB), the minister alleged that 'undue criticism' was scaring away some investors.

'Political opposition should not harm the national interest and efforts to attract investment in the power sector are needed for development of the country,' he said.

However, he said that 2,000MW would be added to the national grid by June next year, including 1,600MW from RPPs.

The government has allowed installation of RPPs of up to 2,250MW.

The PPIB meeting reviewed the status of power projects under process, based on site visits by PPIB/WPPO teams. An inter-ministerial committee has been formed to look into the policy of oil logistics for all future power plants.

'The most important task for the government today is to overcome the energy crisis which has badly affected routine life of the masses,' the minister said.

The meeting was attended by Water and Power Secretary Shahid Rafi, Planning Commission Secretary Ashraf M. Hayat, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources Mohammad Ejaz Chaudhry, Member Federal Board of Revenue Zafarul Majeed and PPIB Managing Director Fayyaz Elahi.

Meanwhile, another meeting of the Ministry of Water and Power decided to carry out maintenance all public sector electricity generation plants (Genco). The plants have not undergone maintenance for 10 years.

The meeting was informed that the plants were not operating at optimum level because of various reasons, including forced outages. The minister asked the authorities concerned to initiate short-term measures to avert forced outages.

'The plants should work on maximum capacity and scheduled maintenance of plants should be completed before December next year,' Mr Ashraf said.

The meeting was attended by Pepco managing director, Irsa chairman and senior officials of petroleum companies and CEOs of Gencos.

The meeting decided to complete upgradation of the Guddu thermal power station before December next year. The upgradation will increase its generation capacity by 225MW.

At present the country is facing an electricity shortfall of 3,059MW. The demand is 15,757MW and the generation 12,679MW. The generation includes 6,280MW from hydel sources, 2,335MW from Gencos and 4,063MW from IPPs. Link...