ISLAMABAD: Despite the low power consumption at the onset of winter, electricity shortfall has reached 4500MW in Pakistan. According to the Ministry of Water and Power sources, the shortfall has increased due to low water levels in dams and the smog-triggered tripping of the system. At present, power generation stands at 9000MW, while the demand is 13500 MW, sources said. Last week, while presiding over a meeting which reviewed power generation and demand supply situation in the country, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi directed to close less-efficient power plants in a phased manner and to convert oil-based plants to gas in shortest possible time in view of availability of ample gas for the power sector. The prime minister said conversion of oil-based plants to gas and maximising efficiency of existing power plants would not only reduce oil import bill of the country but would also ensure maximum availability of power. The meeting also reviewed projected estimates of power generation and the expected demand in the coming four months; from November 2017 to February 2018. Prime Minister Abbasi also directed greater coordination between Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) and Pakistan LNG Terminals Limited (PLTL) for ensuring availability and maximum utilisation of gas for the power sector. The prime minister also directed all relevant stakeholders to increase coordination among themselves for optimum utilization of the available resources and ensuring maximum efficiency in the power sector. Meanwhile, Minister for Power Owais Leghari said that power supply situation would improve in the next one and a half months, which had been affected due to smog in Punjab. In an interview, the minister said that the national institutions were not paying their dues and to overcome the problem, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) will have to amend relevant laws in the larger national interest. He said in view of the shortage of electricity, thirty thousand tube wells will be converted to solar system. He said complaints were being received against power distribution companies and a decision of a sentence of three years for those indulging in overbilling will be taken soon. He emphasised that power distribution companies will have to improve their functioning to reduce THE circular debt. The minister said that the power transmission system had improved with the joining of Shanghai Electric and similarly the K-Electric system had also improved by The Abraaj Group. In other news, spokesperson of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Shahid Riaz Khan clarified that smog does not affect atomic power plants. In a statement, he said Chashma-1 was operating at its full capacity and contributing 300 MW of electricity to the system. Chashma-II and III tripped due to increase in power demand. He said both the plants will be operational by Sunday. The spokesperson said that Chashma-4 was shut for some necessary repair and will also become operational soon. Published in Daily Times, November 5th 2017.