Fuelling trouble

This refers to the editorial, ‘Fuelling trouble’ (April 9). The editorial mentioned that at present the energy shortfall is around 5000MW to 6000MW. It is being said that around 10,000MW of power will be added to the national grid during the tenure of the sitting government. It should be remembered that it would make no difference whether the government adds 10000MW or 100000MW unless it addresses basic problems like electricity theft, huge line losses, use of fuel-guzzling power generators, etc.
The whole world is abandoning electricity production through coal whereas we are bent upon generating power through coal-fired power plants. We do not even bother to learn any lessons from other countries. The Chinese city of Datong has been named as one of the world’s most polluted cities due to the presence of coal plants. How does the government plan to cope with the power shortage problem during coming summers? What is the progress on the solar park in Bahawalpur? Are we on track and will the project be completed on time? The editorial is right when it says that our power sector is in a frightening mess.
Air-Cdre (r) Azfar A Khan
Rawalpindi