Islamabad: The government has announced its intention to launch a flat-rate tariff scheme in November for power consumers – in anticipation of the ‘capacity trap’ likely to accrue in the coming winter season, according to news sources.
This step is being considered as the summer ‘peak hours’ are turning in ‘lean hours’ of winter and causing the electricity consumption to drop. This situation is rendering power companies unable to use the fuel ordered by the government for the running of power plants. The consumers, on the other hand, are left to make the capacity payments without consuming the electricity. Not to mention that gas pipelines’ explosion risk, brought on by the extreme line-pack pressure.
This announcement was made by Power Secretary Irfan Ali during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Power. He revealed that currently 35,000 MW of electricity is available in the system, while the demand in the colder season sometimes drops to 5,000 MW. Now the government is planning to abolish the peak and off-peak hour rate system in favour of flat rates, to encourage power usage.
The secretary said that there is no load shedding on around 100 feeders of Sukkur Electric Power Company owing to elimination of power theft. He said that Ariel Bundle Cables had been utilised for theft and leakage control in some areas and by December, the theft will be eliminated form 150 more feeders.
The committee was informed that the solar plant is Sanjwal was making great headway but there were some wheeling issues impeding the development of the project. These concerns will be sorted out following amendments proposed to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Act.
Hazafa reveres the art of writing and has been turned into a property enthusiast by profession. Her daily survival kit includes; tea, coffee, keyboard and paperbacks.
