Govt to sell assets of closed power plants

Islamabad: The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) on Thursday referred the offloading assets of decommissioned Power Plants to the cabinet body on Privatization.

Cabinet body on energy directed to submit the matter relating to assets of decommissioned Power Plants may come to the Cabinet Committee on Privatization.

Cabinet body on Privatization will decide the assets of closed power plants.

The CCoE considered a summary of Power Division proposing revision in the approved plan for closure of Power Plants. The Power Division submitted a proposal keeping in view the system requirements and ensuring stability.

The proposal envisaged revising the earlier approved timelines for the implementation of phase-II of the approved closure plan in certain plants. The Committee sought further details from Power Division before a final decision in the matter.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar chaired the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) meeting here in Islamabad.

CCoE considered a summary submitted by Power Division proposing merger of two institutions: Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) and Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB). After a detailed discussion, the Committee recommended submission of the proposal for approval of the Cabinet.

Power Division also briefed the Committee on the causes of electricity shortages faced during the recent days. Officials informed that the electricity shortage and resultant load shedding were due to a combination of factors, including a drop in electricity generation at Tarbela and fuel supply disruption faced by the Coal Power Plant at Sahiwal, as well as localized transmission constraints.

Power division further stated that the concurrent rise in demand in the industrial sector and higher than usual temperatures also led to sudden shortages.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Energy, Minister for Maritime Affairs, Minister for Railways, SAPM on Power, Petroleum & Revenue. Representatives of regulatory authorities and officials of Provincial Governments also participated in the meeting.