Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed to utilize all available resources for power generation through alternative and renewable energy sources.
Presiding over a high level meeting to review progress in power sector projects in Islamabad today, he said the country has vast potential of generating electricity through hydel resources and we have to shift our entire focus towards it instead of being dependent on imported expensive oil.
“Ultimately, we have to move to renewable energy. The oil import worth billions of dollars can be controlled by using alternative resources like solar, wind and hydel. Make cold calculations and I believe, you will be the winner in the long term,” he remarked.
The prime minister said utilising renewable energy resources would also ensure riddance from the crude oil tanker mafia acting as parasites and eating up the national money.
He pointed out that the country currently imports oil worth $27 billion to meet its power and transportation needs, a figure that could be significantly reduced by transitioning to alternative energy sources.
The Prime Minister said that in the future only clean and low cost hydropower and renewable plants will be installed in the country.
The meeting was also briefed on the 600 MW solar power project under foreign investment.
Shehbaz Sharif directed to accelerate the process of privatization of active GENCOs and auction of inefficient power houses.
The Prime Minister issued instructions to complete all the steps within a specified period.
The Prime Minister said all possible measures are being taken to reduce the per unit price of electricity for the common man.
He said reforms are underway to reduce the circular debt.
The Prime Minister appreciated the Punjab government for taking concrete steps to check power theft across the province.
He said the other provinces should also take comprehensive steps to prevent electricity theft.
Shehbaz Sharif said the power distribution system and transmissions lines are in pathetic conditions and there is dire need of reform the entire electricity system with huge investment in this sector.
The Prime Minister also directed the concerned authorities to hire services of internationally well reputed consultants of power sector to correct the power system.
He said the ongoing countrywide spell of rains is a good omen for increasing water level in the rivers and water reservoirs and it will also benefit generating electricity.
