New power generation projects to help meet electricity shortage: PM

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said new power generation projects in the private and public sector will help the country meet its growing demand of electricity.
Talking to Liaquat Ali Jatoi Minister of Water & Power at the PM House, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to pursue more hydel and renewable energy projects and to tap all available resources of energy including coal, solar, wind, and biomass for generating electricity.
The Prime Minister said the demand for electricity was growing as a result of high economic growth, increase in per capita income, growing middle class, increased foreign investment in industrial projects and electrification of urban and rural areas.
He said the government was encouraging projects on public-private partnership basis to meet demand of electricity. He said it was an excellent opportunity for the private sector to invest in this sector.
The Minister for Water and Power updated the Prime Minister on the latest situation in the power sector and informed him that there was no load shedding in the country except where maintenance and renovation work was in progress.
On KESC, the Minister said the situation was gradually improving and WAPDA was giving additional power to KESC. He said KESC was planning to increase its capacity to meet Karachi's growing energy needs.
The Minister for Water and Power also briefed the Prime Minister on the latest situation about the availability of water in the country. He said adequate water was available in various reservoirs to meet the irrigation needs of Rabi crop.
He discussed various projects related to the irrigation system, the repair of various barrages and other measures taken by the Federal and Provincial Governments to improve water supply to the agriculture sector.
The Prime Minister said water and power were critical for increasing agricultural productivity. He said the federal government in coordination with the provincial governments will take all measures for better water management to increase its supply.
The Prime Minister appreciated efforts being made by the Ministry of Water and Power to attract investment in power projects to augment availability of electricity in the country. —Agencies