Islamabad:
On Wednesday, those responsible for the Division of Power informed the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, which met the chairman of the Muhammad Idrees committee in the president, which they worked on the supply of interest -free loans to move the solar energy tube wells.
The secretary of power division also informed the committee that the authorities were in negotiations with the IMF to reduce taxes on electricity bills. Currently, he added, Rs 800 to 900 billion taxes have been collected alone in electricity bills.
The committee discussed various questions relating to the cost of generation and invoicing to consumers. The meeting has been informed that the production of electricity from imported coal costs RS16 per unit, while local coal costs RS4 per unit.
During the meeting, the member of the Rana Muhammad Hayat committee stressed that electricity bills and expenses of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) had increased in the past four years. He interviewed the official about cheaper electricity sources of electricity
On this subject, those responsible for the energy division replied that the cost of electricity of local coal would be RS4 per unit. “Currently, the cost of electricity of imported coal is RS16 per unit, and the cost of electricity production from oil is from RS30 to 32 per unit,” said the response.
Another member of the committee, Syed Mustafa Kamal, raised the question of any crossing plan to coal -based power plants after closing hydroelectric and thermal projects. “What will be the plan if there is a problem with coal-based power plants in the future,” he asked.
The secretary of the electricity division said that the ministry worked on the forecasts for power plants for the next 10 years, adding that many oil power plants are closed over the next three years. “We can install coal power plants in a short period of time,” said the secretary.
Malik Anwar Taj asked questions about placing underground electric cables to reduce flight and losses. He pointed out that Islamabad had undergone losses and cases of lesser flight due to the underground cables. However, the secretary stressed that it was not the complete solution to these problems.
Kamal underlined the need to break the monopoly of the public electricity service, claiming that K-electrical was privatized but his monopoly on the distribution of power in Karachi remained intact, so people were forced to buy electricity only from K-Electric. People should have the opportunity to go to another public service, he suggested.
The secretary agreed with the legislator and declared to the committee that the division of power worked on the plan to create a free electricity market. “Consumers will be able to buy electricity from any business, they wish,” he said.
“Very soon, electricity consumers will also be able to read their own meters. We are working on the development of mobile applications for all discos [Distribution Companies] And consumers will be able to take a photo of the meter reading history from their mobile phones and send it, “he added.
Reunion has formed a sub-comity to examine the issue of 7.8 million additional units for consumers of consumers from Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco). Officials said 800,000 meters had been replaced in Islamabad, while 1.2 million meters would be replaced by smart meters.
