Gilani calls energy conference on Monday to discuss load shedding

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

* Conference to formulate proposals to resolve energy crisis
* PM says govt working seriously to overcome energy crisis
* Circular debt main reason behind load shedding

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday called a two-day conference on energy from Monday to discuss all aspects of the power shortage in the country and formulate concrete proposals to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Gilani asked all chief ministers and ministers concerned along with their teams of experts to attend the conference to sort out all impediments.

The agenda given for the ‘Energy and Power Conference’ was identified as utilisation of the existing capacity of power projects, diversification of gas to the power sector, resolution of issues of payments to PEPCO, resolution of circular debts, enable fuel base IPPs to increase production, better management to improve efficiency of power plants as well as transmission losses, focus on medium-term projects for expanding capacity through construction of hydel, coal and other sources of energy, better load management and efforts for energy or electricity conservation.

The prime minister said public protests in various cities against load shedding were becoming a daily routine and a source of serious concern for the government.

Overcoming crisis: He appealed to the nation to show patience, as the government was seriously working to overcome energy shortage in minimum possible time. He said the new projects had been commissioned, while more would be commissioned in the months to come. He expressed confidence that the country would soon start benefiting from the fruits of the policy measures taken by the government.

Circular debt: Highlighting the causes of the energy shortage, the prime minister said one of the major reasons behind the current energy situation was the issue of circular debt.

He said this had hampered the government’s persistent endeavours to eliminate load shedding.

Gilani expressed hope that the federal and provincial governments would sit together and resolve the issue once and for all.

Prime Minister Gilani asked the agencies concerned to take immediate measures to ensure fuel supplies to fully utilise the power generation capacities presently lying idle.

He also asked for making conservation measures more consistent to have visible impact in the situation on ground.