KARACHI: Sindh government has planned to pay Rs15 billion to power distribution companies during next fiscal year.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in his budget speech said that for the next financial year the provincial government had kept a provision of Rs15 billion for clearance of electricity dues of K-Electric, HESCO and SEPCO.
He said that the absence of efficient Energy supply will have disastrous consequences for any economy, agrarian, trade and technological alike.
It is a matter of concern that Federal Government has failed to adequately address the energy crisis. On the other hand, energy remains on top of development agenda for the dynamic leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party.
“We are not relying on a single source of energy provision to fuel our needs and are also looking into the provision of clean energy, which is so essential in the long run for the preservation of the planet and the ecology of our province,” he said.
The major achievements in energy sector during the Current Financial Year are: 100 MW Sindh Nooriabad Power Company has been established through Public Private Partnership. I would like to remind and show my gratitude to this august house that through stern efforts we were able to secure 20 Million Standard Cubic Feet (MMSCF) gas per day for Sindh Nooriabad Power Company Ltd. Now the plant is fully functional and contributing to mitigate power shortages of Karachi.
Sindh Transmission & Dispatch Company has been established. This is the 1st ever transmission line established by any provincial government. 132 KV Double Circuit from Nooriabad to Karachi has been successfully laid at a cost of Rs1.95 billion to supply 100 MW to K-Electric.
As per agreement with HESCO and SEPCO outstanding liabilities amounting to Rs27.4 billion have been cleared.
Outstanding liabilities of Karachi Electric of Rs13 billion have been cleared with intention to mitigate load-shedding and enhance production capacity. Unfortunately, K-Electric has disappointed us all. People of Karachi had to brave power outages even in this sacred month of Ramzan.
He said that Sindh Assembly has adopted a bill to affect the collection of Electricity Duty from the consumers of DISCOs directly into the account of Sindh Government.
Annual recovery of Electricity Duty from Non-Licensee (Private Power Producers) is Rs.55.261 million. Annual recovery of various categories of fees is Rs.19.75 million. Creating Qualified Human Resource in the electrical field i.e. (Electrical Supervisors & Wireman) through Electric Inspectorates for employment in public & private sectors.
Established Sindh Oil & Gas Development Company Pvt. Ltd. Established Sindh Energy Holding Company Limited Established Sindh Lakhra Coal Development Company Ltd.
He said that Sindh had been blessed with huge coal reserves at Thar estimated to be around 175 billion tonnes; one of the largest Lignite deposit in the world. Thar Coal resources have an estimated potential of generating 100,000 MW of electricity for a period of 300 years. Thar coal is the real game changer in Pakistan’s Energy scenario and is key to achieving Energy Security. Government of Sindh also ensures that social safeguards are in place for communities and citizens impacted by coal and related development. Government has established a predictable and enforceable legal and regulatory framework to support sector operations.
Thar coal project at Block-II of Thar Coalfield is on schedule and the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) has removed 35% over burden from the coal mine. The company is now working to expand the coal mine to 22 MTPA and generate 2600 MW by the year 2021. To support Thar coal infrastructure, a new four lane bridge over river Indus has been completed in a record period of 18 months near Thatta-Sujawal. Some major initiatives that are near completion, in Thar region, are:
Rs16.5 billion for development of road network for movement of heavy machinery from Thatta to Thar Coalfields. Rs6.7 billion effluent and mine water disposal system will be completed shortly Rs 845.59 for providing water to power plants at Thar from LBOD Construction of airport at Islamkot at a cost of Rs1.5 billion In the alternate energy following milestones have been achieved: A project approved by the competent forum for electrification of schools and homes through Solar Photovoltaic technology, is under execution stage. Issued 35 Letter of Intent (LOIs) for wind power plants for 2685 MW power generation under IPP mode.
Issued 24 Letter of Intent (LOIs) for solar power plants for 1500 MW power generation under IPP mode. Issued 02 Letter of Intent (LOIs) for 24MW run of the river power generation projects. Got allocated 18251 acres of land to 18 wind power projects and 15 solar power projects 33 renewable energy power projects in Renewable Energy Parks of Sindh. For next year our targets for alternate energy are:
Electrification of 285 Primary Health Facilities situated at Tharparkar, Shaheed Benzairabad, Umerkot, Sanghar, Kashmore and Kambar districts through 352 Solar Photovoltaic schemes at a cost of PKR 454 Million.
Provision of 213 domestic biogas plants to potential users at Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar and rural areas of Karachi division.
Rs13 billion World Bank Funded ‘Sindh Renewable Energy Development Project’ will be rolled out during next financial year. The share of Government of Sindh in the project is PKR 2.6 billion. Through the project programs of Off-Grid Village Electrification, Urban Rooftop PV and Solar PV Demonstration power Plant will be established. PKR 500 Million will be provided for this project during next financial year.
