Muhammad Asad
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar comes up to defend his ministry after severe criticism by the former Prime Minister and PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for mismanagement and purchase of LNG on higher rates.
Hammad Azhar said that the low water level at Tarbela Dam and dry downing were the main reasons of electricity shortfall in the country during recent days. Hammad provided various accounts to clear his end and claimed good performance by his ministry during a news conference in Islamabad on Friday.
Azhar told the media men that presently only one fourth of the total power plants are being operated on furnace oil. He further added that furnace oil had been used in power plants during summer in the past, however PTI government is operating less plants on furnace oil during these days.
He informed the media men that Tarbela dam is producing only 20-30 percent of its capacity and due to peak season and full swing of the industries, electricity demand had increased many folds.
Federal Minister for Energy said that the current electricity shortfall is about 600 to 1500 megawatts and there would be more improvement in the situation by Monday. He said the government had restored 40 % storage of LNG well ahead of its schedule and aims at achieving the RLNG storage level up to 70 percent in next few days.
He said that currently Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) is not facing shortage of gas and had completed the repair work of its plant three days before.
Azhar claimed that the energy situation in the country would get better in next two to three days because water level at Tarbela is rising gradually due to increasing temperature and restoration of gas from Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).
While replying Abbasi accusations, Hammad said that opposition had politicized the two day’s load shedding.
He added that country is facing depletion of Natural gas reserves therefore regasified liquid Natural Gas (RLNG) is the need of the country.
