KARACHI: K-Electric, expressing its concern over the different statements on the extension of the 650MW electricity agreement, has claimed that it can generate sufficient power for Karachi as its capacity of power generation stands at 1700MW, not 2400MW..
According to a statement, the Sindh High Court already issued a restraining order against any reduction or discontinuation in the power supply, so it is important to start by mentioning that any reductions attempt thereof made by NDTC is contempt of court.
KE disagrees with the statistics provided by the officials, describing it as inadequate and falsified information. Some malignant individuals are taking advantage of the situation and blowing it out of proportion to victimise K-Electric.
KE spokesperson said aid that “We could simply ask why the rest of the country, with an approximate installed capacity of 20,000MW is not operating at full capacity. This is because of a difference between installed and gross dependable capacity. Installed Capacity is determined by the generator’s manufacturer and indicates the maximum output under ideal conditions of fuel handling, feed water pumps, combustion air fans, cooling water pumps, pollution control equipment, and other electricity needs. With the passage of time, the generation power of any unit depreciates and machinery loses its efficiency, performing at a decreasing rate.”
In the last 5 years the new KE management has added new generation capacity of 1000 MW despite the misconceptions being created. Today, KE’s capacity stands at 1700 MW, not 2400MW as grossly misquoted by ministry officials.
It is also important to note that the regulator has failed to issue a generation licence to convert two furnace oil based units of 210 MW each to coal at Bin Qasim 1 for the past 24 months.
Had Nepra responded in a timely manner, KE would currently have an additional 420 MW of cheap electricity ready to supply.
They have failed to support the utility in finding an effective solution to fulfil future energy demands, and yet have the gall to threaten to deduct a further 650 MW!
Spokesperson added that KE’s peak demand was around 2200 MW in 2009, which is now 3000 MW, and is growing every year. Despite addition of new generation plants to the fleet, in last 6 years the demand has gone up in the same ratio.
KE’s prompt actions avoided a worsening of Karachi’s power situation, because not a single megawatt had been added to the grid in the past decade. The newly installed generation units of 1000 MW are gas-fired.
The government failed to provide allocated and committed 276 MMCFD of gas supply and unfortunately KE has only received 160-165 MMCFD gas in last 5 years.
Ministry officials have also misquoted the capacity of Kannup; the Minister’s statements about capacity being 140 MW are incorrect. The actual capacity is 80 MW, and it is typically down for maintenance for more than 6 months. Even when it is operational, it only produces 60 MW. These numbers can be verified by the government owned plant.
