Dues against KESC to exceed Rs 87 bn on April 1

[LahoreEstate]

Monday, March 30, 2009

By Jawwad Rizvi

LAHORE: The outstanding dues against the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) will exceed the figure of Rs 87 billion after an addition of over Rs 3 billion to the arrears on April 1, 2009, according to official sources.

The KESC has been getting some 600 to 800-megawatt electricity from Pakistan Electric Supply Company (PEPCO) despite recommendations of the Senate Standing Committee for reduction in the power supply to it. The committee has also asked the KESC management to improve its power generating capacity through its own resources.

According to a presidential order, issued on January 4, 2009, the government had asked PEPCO to restrict power supply to the KESC to 250 megawatts, but the directive could not be implemented fully for some political reasons.

The News has learnt that the KSEC has been producing almost 50 per cent less than its power generation capacity. Currently, three captive power units and IPPs of the KESC, having power generating capacity of 300 megawatts, are not working due to non-payment of dues.

The power demand in Karachi during November to March remains 2,000 to 2,100 megawatts, which increases by about 400 megawatts from March to November due to hot weather. However, the KESC is getting some 600 to 800 megawatts electricity from PEPCO, generating te same capacity itself and conducting six-to-eight-hour loadshedding daily to meet the shortfall. According to sources, some 450 to 500 megawatts electricity is stolen and is shown as line loses.

The sources said the power generating companies are ready to invest in Karachi electricity system, but on their own terms and conditions. PEPCO Crisis Management and Energy Conservation Director General Tahir Basharat Cheema said the PEPCO had been supplying some 600 to 800 megawatts of power to Karachi and if the KESC generated power according to its capacity then there would not be any shortage and loadshedding in Karachi.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=21225