LAHORE, June 5: The power situation will gradually be improved as arrangements are being made for optimal utilisation of the existing generation capacity by providing fuel to the power houses, says newly-inducted Federal Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar.

Presiding over a meeting on Tuesday at Wapda House to review electricity situation and progress on the water and power sector projects, he said a target-oriented strategy was also being devised to enhance recoveries, decrease system losses and curb electricity theft.

“Improved governance is the key to improving cash flows of the distribution companies to minimise loadshedding,” Mukhtar said.

The minister said the quality of officials at various tiers would also be improved.

Earlier, in a briefing to the minister about water and hydropower sectors, Wapda Chairman Shakil Durrani said river flows had started improving, resulting in an increase in hydel generation. He said the situation would further improve, as the mercury continued to rise in the catchment areas of water reservoirs.

The hydropower projects with cumulative capacity of 400 MW would become operational during the current year, he added.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of water sector projects, the minister said it was encouraging to see that hydel generation was taking the lead.

In another briefing on power sector, the federal minister was apprised of the demand and generation scenario, the measures being taken to reduce electricity shortfall and the financial issues of the power sector including receivables and payables.

The meeting was also attended by member (power), secretary, Central Power Purchasing Agency managing director and the Wapda and NTDC senior officers concerned. — Staff Reporter