ISLAMABAD, Nov 6: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday reviewed the power situation in the country and observed that with the growth of economy, the demand for power was increasing manifold.

The prime minister, who reviewed the power situation in the country in a meeting here on Saturday, said that it was imperative to take immediate steps to set up new power plants and ensure efficient maintenance and upkeep of existing power generation units to meet the incremental demand of power.

He directed the ministry of petroleum and natural resources to ensure immediate supply of gas from Uchh gas field to Uchh power project.

The new power project has already been approved by the government in private sector to generate 600 megawatt of electricity.

He said a long-term energy requirement plan was being prepared by the Planning Commission in coordination with the ministry of water and power to meet the future demands of the country.

Mr Aziz directed the water and power minister to activate the Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) to encourage private investment in power sector.

He said the board should be a real functional body working proactively to bring the private entrepreneurs in power generation. It should be a vibrant marketing organ of the ministry, he added.

The prime minister asked the ministry of water and power to ensure proper maintenance of power plants by Water and Power Development Authority and private power producers so that there was no interruption in power supply. NESPAK, he said, should be asked to look after the maintenance of power plants.

While appreciating the good job done by Wapda and the water and power minister, the PM said due to better water availability and streamlining of powerhouses there has been no load-shedding problem in the country.