Govt to spend Rs100 billion on up gradation of power distribution system

Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar has informed the Senate that in order to have a modern power distribution system in the country the government is planning to spend approximately Rs 100 Billion rupees in this financial year.

Thousands of electricity transformers are being replaced not only LT transformers but mega transformers installed in grid stations too. The old transformers trip due to overloading because they are old and have already depleted their lives.

The federal government has already spent Rs 77 billion in the last two-and-half years on improving power distribution system and nearly Rs 100 billion would be spent this year for this purpose. The generation of electricity in the country is ample for now but there are severe gaps in the transmission sector.

Moreover to solve the power crisis in Karachi the government is soon to execute a new power purchase agreement with K-Electric. While commenting on the matter the minister said. There has been a dispute going on between the government and K-Electric regarding Rs 200 billion payables and receivables. We are resolving these issues. He further highlighted the fact that that Karachi is being provided an additional 550MW electricity from the national grid that has resulted in a visible reduction in power outages in the cosmopolitan city.