Loadshedding to reduce to 3hrs in urban, 4hrs in rural areas by April end: Kh Asif

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that loadshedding will be reduced back to three hours in urban and four hours in rural areas before the end of this month.

Talking to media in Islamabad on Monday, he said Hydel power generation will increase from the existing 2000 to about 3500 MW by April 20.

He said four power plants of more than 1200 MW on scheduled maintenance will also be back this month.

The minister said Nandipur gas conversion will also be completed this month besides increased generation from Guddu by next month.

He said that additional 4500 MW electricity will be available next month.

He clarified that despite low hydel generation, the overall generation is still higher by 1000 MW as compared to last year while loadshedding is still lower than last year.

The minister said 10,000 MW of electricity will be added to the grid in the next 12 months.

Referring to performance of power sector during the last two years, Khawaja Asif said there is zero loadshedding for industry.

He said power tariff has also come down for solar from Rs 17 to RS 16 per unit; for wind Rs 15 to Rs 6.5 per unit, regassified LNG from Rs 9.5 to Rs 6.6 per units and coal is expected to go down from Rs 8.5 to Rs 7 per unit.