In the face of increased scrutiny and uncertainty surrounding independent power producers (IPPs), the national government has asserted that loadshedding is not occurring in the nation as a result of a shortage of generation.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday that distribution companies, or discos, control load in some regions based on feeder losses.
The minister made these comments at a time when the current administration was under intense criticism for astronomical power costs and prolonged blackouts that occurred nationwide, particularly during the summer of this year.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration has had difficulties on several fronts since taking office in February of this year, with the electricity industry being one of them.
The summer of long-term load shedding and exorbitant bills provoked nationwide demonstrations against the Center.
The current government has also come under fire over the IPP issue, with calls to renegotiate the agreements the government has with them. The government has acknowledged that the country has the highest power prices in the area.
The country will soon hear “good news” about the IPPs, according to Energy Minister Awais Leghari.
Tarar also emphasized that feeders with losses of up to 20% are not subject to load shedding during his speech in the lower chamber of parliament today.
In order to prevent power theft, the minister added that smart meters will be mounted on transformers in the initial stage.
