Electricity transmission lines debottlenecked to sustain summer load: Omer

ISLAMABAD, March 15 (APP):Minister for Power Omer Ayub Khan Friday said bottlenecks of transmission lines had been removed, keeping in view heavy load during the upcoming summer season.
“Bottlenecks in the transmission lines have been cleared and they will be able to carry additional 3,000 MW electricity in the summer season,” he said while talking to media persons after launching Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA)’s Data Exchange Portal (CDXP) here.
Last year, the minister said, the transmission system could not sustain even the load of 19,000 MW power, but the government considerably overhauled the existing system and working for its gradual improvement.
Answering a question, Omer Ayub said the government was committed to providing smooth supply of electricity to consumers; however, there would be load-management in the areas of high line losses.
He said all power generating units would be functional to meet electricity needs in the hot weather conditions.
He said the renewable energy policy, which was suspended by the previous government for political gains, was being restored to produce inexpensive and indigenous electricity.
Replying to another question, the minister said the government was regularly paying all energy payments and interest cost of capacity charges to power generation companies.
He regretted that due to wrong policies of the previous government, the collective circular debt had increased to Rs1,400 billion.
Omer Ayub said the government had paid Rs 200 billion on account of circular debt, which was generated through Islamic Sukuk bonds.
Commenting on K-Electric’s demand of additional 300 MW in summer, the minister said all possible assistance would be provided to the company as the government believed in serving the common man. The demand of K-Electric would be fulfilled, he added.