Hopes K-Electric to establish 500KV grid by 2021
TLTP
LAHORE
Minister for Energy Omar Ayub has said that the government is focusing on alternate resources to produce cheaper power to meet the growing needs of the country.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of Letter of Support for 100-megawatt solar power project here on Thursday, he said low-cost power projects will help in providing relief to the people.
The minister said one more power project under public-private partnership will be established in Layyah. He said that the past governments relied on expensive fuel-based power generation which resulted in an increase in power price in the country.
Umar Ayub Khan stated that the solar project agreement is signed with a minimum tariff for which Punjab CM Usman Buzdar and his team deserve accolades. Net metering will be brought to single-phase as transmission lines have been improved which have the capability to supply 24000-megawatt electricity, he said. Separate tariff for WASAs is also being reviewed, he added.
He said that the sole electricity provider in Karachi, K-Electric (KE), has not fulfilled its promised investment; however, the power system will be improved from the next year. He expressed hope that KE will establish its own 500 KV grid by 2021 that will improve electricity system in Karachi.
“We have talked with the management of 10 universities and they have agreed to acquire the solar-powered system. The rates of solar energy were Rs2 to Rs3 per unit two to three years ago, whereas the current price per unit is Rs6.”
The energy minister announced that a major change will be made in the energy sector by the present government and it will be unveiled soon through the reforms process. Changes have already been witnessed in the energy sector by the new projects, whereas all equipment for windmills will be manufactured in Pakistan now, said Omar.
Punjab Energy Minister Dr Akhtar Malik said that costly agreements had been signed by the previous governments while the present government is making efforts to provide low-cost and uninterrupted electricity to the nationals.
He said that most expensive solar projects were set up in the past tenure and public money was mercilessly wasted. Eight thousand schools have been converted to solar energy and the target of converting 15,000 schools to solar energy will be achieved.
