Pak govt to add 10,000 MW of electricity to national grid

Islamabad, Apr 2: Pakistan, hit by chronic power crisis, will add 10,000 MW of electricity by 2018, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said today.

Government is taking all steps necessary to meet energy shortage in the country during its tenure ending in 2018, according to an official statement.

"Government expects to add around 10,000 MW of electricity to the national grid during this time period, which includes generation through solar, wind, hydro, nuclear as well as through liquefied natural gas," PM said.

He said that he is focusing on development and is confident that increased availability of electricity would not only provide relief to the common man by reduced load-shedding but also give a boost to the industrial and agricultural sectors.

Sharif was informed that the country is currently facing a shortfall of around 5000-6000 MW, which is expected to rise with the passage of time and was given a briefing on the progress on power generation projects being undertaken to meet the shortfall.

The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Water and Power that load-shedding in summers should not be more than six hours in urban areas and eight hours in rural areas.

He also directed the Ministry to take steps for conservation of electricity including considering early closure of shops and markets. Pakistan has been facing severe power cuts which had hampered industrial growth and hit domestic consumers.

PTI