December 04, 2006	Monday	Ziqa'ad 12, 1427

THE growing power shortages are limiting industrial expansion for which urgent remedies are being sought by the government. It is proposed to revive gas fields (otherwise uneconomical) which would be dedicated to power generation. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has offered to provide financial and technical assistance.

Under a phased programme, an additional 150- 200MW of electricity will be generated by utilising the un-harnessed gas fields. The approach would ensure gas supplies for the life span of power generation station of about 20-25 years and make such gas fields economical.

These gas fields, officials say, are not being used due to pipeline constraints and are earmarked for independent power projects (IPPs).

After identification of gas, feasibility study will be done for thermal power plants. One of the alternatives is to pool gas at some central point from nearby gas fields, which otherwise is uneconomical to produce and transport. This gas storage can be used to feed a medium to large power plant.

Yet another alternative is to set up small portable power plants operating on gas from small fields having limited gas supply. Screening of the gas-fields may offer promising opportunity either to be connected to a network for gas pooling at some central points or where an independent small power project can be set up.

The feasibility study is proposed to be carried by a joint team of local and foreign consultants, to be appointed by Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) in consultation with the ADB.

The demand for electricity is rapidly growing with the increase in population as well as economic growth. Energy fuels economic growth and development.

Concerned officials admit that a sizeable portion of population is still without electricity with the requirements of commercial and industrial users growing at fast pace.

The future load forecast has been prepared so as to plan adequate facilities for generation, transmission and distribution of the electric power. The latest forecast for demand under Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF) is 27,420MW by 2010, 47,540MW by 2015, 72,270MW by 2020, 1,10,760MW by 2025 and 1,62,590MW by 2030.

Pakistan has indigenous source of power in the form of big reserves of coal but due to lack of mechanized coal mining ability, the resource utilisation is minimal at this stage.

The government is also trying to seek renewable/alternative source of power like wind, bio-gas, solar etc. Efforts are being made to exercise such options but presently their share is negligible.

There are several low/medium BTU gas fields in Sindh and each gas field is assumed to have limited reserves . Such fields are, on an individual basis, of no economic value due to the costs associated with extraction of gas.

The total installed electricity generation capacity at present is 19,547 MW, which, when compared to future demand forecast is insufficient.

Out of the totaled capacity, 6,599 MW is being generated through hydro stations and 12,336 MW through thermal power stations, while the remaining 612 MW comes through various nuclear and coal power stations. Electricity generated through imported fuel is expensive and also large infrastructure costs are involved to transmit electricity to remote areas. There is a need to explore other options for electricity supply to such areas.

An alternative is that small-scale power projects can be set up near the gas field. Instead of transporting gas to the power plants, the electricity can be generated at the site and nearby areas can be electrified at least cost and within a short time. After depletion of the gas reserves, the small power plants can be shifted to areas where small gas reserves are available.