The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, has made some important decisions to reduce the cost of electricity for the general public. During a high-level review meeting held in Islamabad, he instructed that coal-fired power plants be converted to local coal, and the electricity transmission system be upgraded. In the future, only clean and low-cost hydropower and renewable plants will be installed in the country.
The meeting also included a briefing on a 600 MW solar energy project that has external investment. The Prime Minister instructed relevant authorities to expedite the process of external investment in this project. He further directed that proposals be prepared to better utilize the excess capacity of electricity in industries and that electricity rates be lowered to enable industrial consumers to access low-cost electricity.
The Prime Minister also instructed the establishment of grid stations near major industries to promote industrial development and increase exports. He also urged the acceleration of the privatization process for active power plants, and the auction of defunct power plants. The Prime Minister assured that all possible measures are being taken to reduce the cost of electricity for the general public. He emphasized the priority of sector reforms to reduce the revolving debt of the electricity sector.
