Encouraging plan for power conservation

THE Government on Wednesday unveiled a multi-pronged strategy encompassing short, medium and long-term measures to cope with the on-going energy crisis that is assuming alarming proportions with the passage of time. The plan, details of which were announced by Water and Power Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf, following a special Cabinet meeting on the issue, includes setting up of power plants on fast track basis to add 1200 MW of electricity within 18 months and saving of 500 MW through conservation measures.
It seems that for the first time tangible measures are being contemplated to overcome the challenge that threatens our economic growth. One hopes that the plan would be implemented with a sense of urgency as was done by the PPP Government in the past to address the problem of load-shedding. While the plan to acquire rental power plants and set up thermal power projects are welcome, the policy-makers need to focus on utilization of Lakhra coal for power generation and exploitation of solar and wind power potential to ward off such crises in future. Similarly, deal should be concluded with Iran on an urgent basis for import of the agreed 1100 MW of electricity so that the work on the necessary infrastructure could be started without any delay. It would not be out of place to revive the much-talked-about project of power import from Tajikistan. The conservation plan also has the potential to play a significant role in mitigating the problem provided all sections of the society willingly extend a helping hand to make it a success. Although there is nothing wrong with the decision to close down major commercial centres and shopping plazas at 2100 hours yet surprisingly some sections of the trading community have expressed resentment over it and vowed to come out on streets in protest. This is highly regrettable approach, as businessmen too are part and parcel of the society and they are supposed to contribute towards efforts to help improve the situation. The decision to keep air-conditioners off in the Government offices from 0800 to 1100 hours can become more meaningful if it is also implemented by the private sector and the duration is extended by one or two hours. We, however, do not agree with the move to advance watches and clocks by one hour from Ist of June for three months for so-called saving of sunlight. This is unlikely to achieve anything substantial than creating a mess, as we witnessed in the past. Anyhow, much depends on the level of commitment of the authorities and the degree of cooperation by consumers to tackle the problem.