By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Country’s people will move forward their clocks by one-hour from June 1 to get maximum benefit from the daylight in the wake of power crisis.
The government in this regard has already issued a notification in pursuance of the Cabinet decision of May 14 to conserve energy in the country and to obtain benefit from the sunlight.
According to official sources, several other decision are also being implemented in the light of cabinet meeting to conserve energy and to overcome load shedding problem within one year.
Sources said 500MW will also be saved by implementing energy conservation plan under which in coming 90 days from first of June all shopping plaza owners will be asked to remain close their shops after 9 p.m.
Similarly, WAPDA will not supply power to billboards using electric lights besides saving through management of streetlights. They said shopkeepers will be encouraged to remain close their shops on Friday instead of Sunday.
The cabinet had also decided to stop use of air conditioners during 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Prime Minister House, Secretariat and other government offices.
Sources said the government with the support of World Bank will purchase one million international standard energy saver bulbs from reputed firms to promote culture of installing such bulbs in the country.
They said a task force has been set up to control line losses, adding, those officials who will involve in such losses will face action while reward will be announced for those who will contribute to reduce line losses.
An official of the Ministry of Water and Power said the special meeting of the cabinet has decided that experts and concerned stakeholders will be involved in the planning to overcome power shortage problem in the country by implementing their inputs.
He said the country is facing 4,000 MW power shortfall due to shortage in power generation and low level of water in the dams. He added presently power generation is almost half than the last year.
However, he said the government has planned to resolve load shedding problem in three years while the cabinet has decided to handle the situation within one year.
He said after one year, there will be no load shedding in the country as the government is taking sincere steps in this regard following the direction of the Prime Minister.
He said the government has also decided to include 1,200 MW thermal power in the system within 12 to 18 months through competitive bidding to be initiated in a transparent manner on tariff fixed by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
He said the government will encourage private sector to invest in power sector to overcome the power crises and to facilitate the electricity customers.