WAPDA-Losses WAPDA reduces five percent line losses in four years:Chairman
ISLAMABAD, Jun 22 (APP): Through prudent measure the line losses of WAPDA have been brought down by five percent from 20.9 percent to 24.3 four years ago, Chairman WAPDA Tariq Hameed told CNBC channel. Commenting on power shortages he said various long term measures have been continuing to overcome the scarcity from 500 to 200 mw. More than 3,350MW power would be available in the country by 2008-09 including 330 MW through own sources as three thermal units of WAPDA would also start production by then. Two power plants having capacity of 286 mw have been operationalised recently.IPPs thermal plants are working hundred percent. Power demand has increased in the country at phenomenal pace due to rapid development.WAPDA's consumers have also increased from 14 million to 16.8 million. To a question he said its wrong to blame WAPDA for power shortage saying: " We have submitted likely increase in demands to concerned department including Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB)." Similarly no expansion of power plants was carried out in last years due to their privatisation plan, he added. Regarding huge subsidy of Rs 55 billion being paid to WAPDA by the government he said the government is offering subsidy to lifeline consumers, tubewells, FATA people, etc."
The income of WAPDA is Rs 250 billion.Government was bound to pay 2 percent of it to people as subsidy which is Rs 55 billion.So it is wrong to say that WAPDA was getting subsidy instead people are getting subsidy," he added.
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