Country has 20,000 MW electricity generating capacity.

ISLAMABAD, July 09, 2009 (Balochistan Times) -- Minister for water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that the country has capacity to produce 20,000mw electricity. Talking to Geo he said that at the moment, the total generating capacity is 15,000-16,000 MW if all units run smoothly. Out of this 6,500 MW is being generated from Hydro and remaining from Thermal units, nuclear energy and 1 percent from coal energy. Minister highlighted that the total shortfall is from 300 to 3500 MW. Actually, the shortfall occurred because they did not install any new power generating plant for the past seven eight years whereas electricity demands increases approximately eight percent annually. Certainly there would be mismanagement, but the real reason for load shedding is gap between supply and demand, he said. The Government has succeeded to bring four billion dollars investment in power sector, he said. The minister said that our government soon after taking power expedited the IPPs. In this regard he said that our government generated 90 billion rupees and paid it to The PEPCO and other power distribution companies. At the moment all plants are running on their full capacity, he stated. To another question about KESC, he said that previous government privatized to the KESC and NEPRA is authorized to take action against it if any complaint is received. There is system constraints in KESC. Its system is outdated and they promised to invest 361 million dollars in it. Basically, Kuwaiti and Saudis took the KESC, they have changes their operation and maintenance management. The payment of the electricity given to the WAPDA employees are collected by their concerned companies, he added. Commenting on war on terror, Raja Pervez said, we did not start war on terror with our own liking. I think, it was imposed on Pakistan, we are fighting for our survival and we are in a state of war.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)