Q-44= Describe reasons of power shortage in Pakistan. What steps the Govt. of Pakistan has taken to develop these resources. Elaborate
REASONS OF POWER SHORTAGE
On an average the household sector has been the largest consumer of power electricity,
accounting for 44.3% of total electricity consumption, industries 29.1%, agriculture 12.8
%, government sector 7.3 %, commercial 5.8 %, and street lights 0.6 %. The number of
electricity consumers has increased over the years due to rapid extension of electric
supply to villages and fast urbanization. The number of consumer has increased to 15.6
million till March 2006 showing an increase of 5 % over last year. Another reason the
line losses.
Village electrification program is an integral part of the total power sector development
program as an attempt to increase the productive capacity and socio-economic standard
of population living the far-flung areas of the country. Govt. has planned to electrify all
the villages in the country by 2007. Moreover due to rapid industrial program, more
industries are being set up which use electricity/power. Due to increase in general
welfare and standard of living of the people more electrical domestic appliances are used
which results in increase in the consumption of power.
DAM--POWER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The optimal utilization of hydroelectric potential is prioritized in the power development
program. Govt. has approved construction of hydroelectric projects/ new dams under the
Vision-2005 program. Additional gas turbines at Shahdara, 80MW from Sugar Mills 50
MW and Will Mill Project of 100 MW are planned to be commissioned in 2006-07 and
various other hydro development projects are under way.
KARACHI ELECTRIC SUPPLY CORPORATION
The installed capacity of KESC is 1756 MW where as its demand is 2063 MW. The
projects to be undertaken in the near future of KESC include an increase in generation
capacity by 1,000 MW, addition to network capacity and enforcements of standard
operation procedures.
NUCLEAR POWER ENERGY
Two nuclear power plants at Karachi and Chashma are in operation. Another project at
Chashma is under progress. Kanupp at Karachi has generated 143 million Kwh electricity
while Chashma project has generated 1681 million kwh during 2005-06, In order t o meet
increasing demand of power, Govt. has approved of an Energy Security Plan in 2005.
This plan envisages a nuclear capacity of 8800 MW by 2030 and according to this plan
the share of nuclear electricity is expected to increase to 8 % in 2030 from the 3.3 percent.