KARACHI: Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh on Wednesday said that the provincial government was ready to run the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) itself as the line losses were high due to distance from the national grid.

Speaking at a press conference, he said that there was an acute shortage of gas in the province and the provincial government was making all possible efforts to bring to an end the prolonged and unannounced loadshedding of the gas in the province that produced nearly 70 per cent of the total gas production in the country.

The minister said that discussions were going on with the SSGC managing director for required gas supply. “Talks are also being held with the gas company to resolve the complaints of excessive billing to domestic consumers.”

Energy minister says talks are being held with utility to resolve complaints of excessive billing

He said that the provincial government would approve ‘business-to-business’ energy projects to overcome shortage of electricity in Sindh. He said a 400 megawatts hybrid wind-solar power project by Engro Energy Limited would be presented for approval in the cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Mr Sheikh further said that Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari had directed the provincial government to make a comprehensive plan for the complete elimination of electricity loadshedding in the province.

He said that as many as 37 major hospitals across the province and the building of the Karachi Press Club had been shifted on solar energy.

The minister said that the Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company was also making arrangements for the transmission of electricity. He said that the cheapest electricity in the country was generated in Thar Coal Power Plant.

Responding to a question, the energy minister said that it was necessary to bring new companies to end the monopoly of electricity distribution companies.

He said that the provincial government had taken a principled decision to take over the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) and Sukkur Electric Supply Company (Sepco) and added that the federal government had no objection to the provincial government’s decision.

Mr Shaikh added that the work on the establishment of Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority had been geared up and with the progress on business-to-business projects, energy projects would move forward rapidly.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2023