Energy Crisis
Big brains in and out of the government are busy in suggesting ways and means to resolve the energy crises in the country. Let me put my two cents also in it.
We have a certain shortfall of about 5000 MWs and can produce 10 to 12 MWs from our various existing sources. It looks that the planners are concentrating on overcoming the short fall and produce all the 17000 to 18000 MWs of electricity that is needed. The biggest impediment in meeting the shortfall is the payment of the circular debt amounting to Rs. 500 billion. Even if this amount is somehow managed, we would again be stuck in the quagmire of accumulating more and more debt as the cost of production would be around Rs. 15/= a unit and it would be sold to the consumers at Rs. 7 to 8 per unit. Thus causing a loss of Rs. 7 approx per unit !! I would, therefore, suggest that for the present we should immediately make do with whatever electricity we have or can produce without incurring any further loss or debt by trying to complete the shortfall. To achieve it we have to resort to rationing of the electricity. In that :
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No ACs in ANY office including Presidency/Governor Houses, except in hospitals where required on emergent basis only.
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All businesses and shops to close just before dusk, as is done all over the world.
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No illumination of any kind on any occasion. For religious functions candles should be used, if at all.
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TV/cable programmes are curtailed to 6 pm to 10:30 pm only. A two hour morning schedule – 10 am to 12 Noon - could be allowed for Sundays.
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To discourage use of un-necessary electricity in the homes, offices and business centres/shops etc. anyone, except the electrically run industries/ workshops/facilities, consuming electricity more than Rs. 12,000/= per month should be HEAVILY taxed and his electricity bill be enhanced from 100 percent to 500 percent in proportionate brackets.
Taking such steps would reduce the electric consumption to the degree that it would obviate the need for Load Shedding in the country. As far as meeting the shortfall and even producing more electricity in future is concerned, well considered long, medium and short term plans and measures can be adopted to do the needful. While doing that the upper most consideration should be the overall national interest which MUST override all other parochial, provincial or regional considerations.
Who will do it? If there is a will there is a way.
Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
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