November 19, 2008	Wednesday	Ziqa'ad 20, 1429

KARACHI, Nov 18: The Karachi Electric Supply Company has taken over commercial operations of the first phase of the Korangi Thermal Power Plant.

Announcing immediate generation from the plant, KESC has added 96 megawatts to Karachi's power grid, which will increase to the technical capacity of 220 megawatts as the plant is made fully operational.

The utility has claimed that the addition is the latest initiative by the KESC to ensure self-reliance in meeting the city's power needs, aimed at raising the capacity that can help to minimise power shortages. The addition of Korangi Thermal follows the addition of a 50-MW rental power, which was expected to be at full capacity by December.

KESC CEO Naveed Ismail has said: "Taking long-term steps towards containing load-shedding is an immediate priority. Recognising the supply gap in this city's electricity needs, we have already identified the need for - and invested in - new rental power. The addition of Korangi Thermal to the city's power grid will further bridge the gap between demand and supply in Karachi for the longer term."

Contract employees

Meanwhile, KESC management has announced the renewal of contracts of staff whose employment agreements were expiring on November 30, APP adds.

The contractual appointment letters expiring by the end of this month will be renewed for a period of one year up to November 30, 2009.

'The decision is likely to impact over 7,500 contract employees who had been hired in the past to manage short-term specific business needs', said Jahangir Azar, the industrial relations director of the KESC.

According to the announcement, the decision to renew employment contracts has been taken in view of the fact that the issue pertaining to contract employees is also the subject matter of civil petition 1268 of 2008 before the division bench of Sindh High Court as also before the Registrar Industry wise Trade unions, the National Industrial Commission, pending litigations.

The management has taken this decision without prejudice to the legal rights of Karachi Electric Supply Company, it added.