March, 20 2005	Sunday	09 Safar 1426

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ISLAMABAD, March 19: The power tariff in Pakistan is still the highest in the region and is exceedingly affecting the social and industrial sectors, it is learnt. Informed sources told Dawn here on Saturday that the higher authorities have directed the concerned ministries as well as Wapda to exploit early hydropower resources which could provide a relief and comparatively affordable electricity to the end users. The power demand projection based on medium growth rate shows that it will increase from 12,328 MW in 2003 to about 17,719 MW in 2011 for which an additional capacity of the order of 7,000 MW would be needed. In Pakistan, the overall access to electricity, compared to other countries in the region is said to be low. At present about 71.7 per cent in Punjab, 43.1 in Sindh, 27.4 in Balochistan and 68 per cent in NWFP including Fata is covered with electricity. Hence, the scope to expand distribution network and provide consumers with electricity is substantially large.

Sources said that with the commissioning of 1450 MW Ghazi Brotha hydropower Project (GBHP), the existing capacity would be sufficient to meet the power requirement of the country up to the year 2005-06, thereafter additional capacity would be needed.

To meet the additional power generation requirement, government has devised a strategy for early development of indigenous resources which included hydro, coal and natural gas. It is planned to add 4,600 MW hydro, 600 MW on coal, 900 MW on gas and 325 MW nuclear capacity in the system by the year 2011. With the completion of these projects, hydro/thermal mix will increase from 28:72 in 2003 to 39:61 by the year 2011.

Renewable energy resources like wind and solar would also be exploited for which Alternative Energy Development Broad has been established in the prime minister’s secretariat, which is pursing solar and wind projects specially for remote areas.

At present 1,450 MW GBHP and its allied transmission lines are under implementation. The power plant has been completed in June 1004. Whereas transmission is expected to be completed by June 2005. Rawat Grid Station, near Rawalpindi is under construction and its transformation capacity is being augmented with the installation of 460 MVA transformer. Implementation of five small/medium size hydro power plants with a total capacity of about 550 MW have been started by Wapda and would be completed by 2007-08. Detailed feasibility study of Bhasha dam and Dasu Hydro Power project are also in hand and are expected to be completed by 2006.