Overemphasis on additional power generation may prove to be a bane rather then a boon

The government seems to be getting nervous that its overemphasis on generation of additional electricity may turn the existing power crisis into a far more troublesome liability if it is not managed carefully now.That’s apparently why Finance Minister Ishaq Dar directed the water and power ministry on Sunday to ensure recovery of electricity bills from provincial governments in 60 days, as agreed with them during a meeting of the Council of Common Interests two months ago.Mr Dar issued the instructions at a preparatory meeting he chaired ahead of a review meeting on the subject which would be presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday (today).

The prime minister has been advised to scrutinise the entire infrastructure chain “realistically and pragmatically” now, instead of facing political and economic crises at a later stage, according to the sources.

For instance Mr. Sharif was told that Pakistan Railways alone would require about Rs400 billion to transport the coal required to fire coal-based projects of 5,000MW capacity in Punjab’s cities like Sahiwal, Rahimyar Khan, Jhang and Faisalabad.

The capacity of the ports also needed to be examined carefully, he was told. Then there was the question of laying of fresh transmission lines to transmit additional electricity. The current dilapidated and obsolete transmission structure is not capable of carrying  heavy loads and is prone to tripping at will. This generally leads to a cascading effect, essentially throwing the entire system into turmoil time and again.