Game over

[fatman17]

Game over

Friday, January 08, 2010

Power generation is approaching a crisis again and this time it has the potential to be truly catastrophic rather than merely an unconscionable burden. National fuel reserves – the fuel that is used to power thermal generators – have dropped to twelve days.

Pakistan State Oil is unable to import the oil that we desperately need because it cannot afford to pay for it. Two ships are already loaded and waiting to bring the oil to us but until their cargo is paid for they will not leave port. The PSO general manager was perhaps understandably reticent when asked about this matter but grudgingly admitted that the ships had been delayed and that any further comment on the oil reserves and how long they would last if not replenished was 'not in the interest of the country.'

Not in the interests of the country? It most certainly is in the interests of the country because if this little wrinkle is not ironed out soon, we could be facing not just loadshedding but a national power shutdown for all but essential services – an eventuality that is now measurably imminent. It is not known where the ships carrying the oil are at present, but even if their cargo is paid for today and they can leave on the next tide they will take days to get here and unload; and we are running out of days. The underlying cause of the lack of liquidity at PSO is the eternal problem of circular debt – they can't pay for the oil because they are not themselves paid what they are owed. Into the equation has to be added the fact that hydro power generation is very low at 517MW -- understandable as the water level has decreased in both Tarbela and Mangla dams and canals are closed for cleaning and are likely to remain so for another month. Further pain is brought by the weather – the winter rains have failed this year, down 96 per cent in Punjab alone – and the stage is set for a collision of problems that have the capacity to literally bring the country to its knees. In all of this there is an irony – we are producing 7,486MW electricity against an installed capacity of 20,231MW. Power generation has fallen to just above one-third of the generation capacity and is set to fall further in coming days. This time, it really could be 'game over'.

 

[Sinnerman108]

Game over

Friday, January 08, 2010

Power generation is approaching a crisis again and this time it has the potential to be truly catastrophic rather than merely an unconscionable burden. National fuel reserves – the fuel that is used to power thermal generators – have dropped to twelve days.

Pakistan State Oil is unable to import the oil that we desperately need because it cannot afford to pay for it. Two ships are already loaded and waiting to bring the oil to us but until their cargo is paid for they will not leave port. The PSO general manager was perhaps understandably reticent when asked about this matter but grudgingly admitted that the ships had been delayed and that any further comment on the oil reserves and how long they would last if not replenished was 'not in the interest of the country.'

Not in the interests of the country? It most certainly is in the interests of the country because if this little wrinkle is not ironed out soon, we could be facing not just loadshedding but a national power shutdown for all but essential services – an eventuality that is now measurably imminent. It is not known where the ships carrying the oil are at present, but even if their cargo is paid for today and they can leave on the next tide they will take days to get here and unload; and we are running out of days. The underlying cause of the lack of liquidity at PSO is the eternal problem of circular debt – they can't pay for the oil because they are not themselves paid what they are owed. Into the equation has to be added the fact that hydro power generation is very low at 517MW -- understandable as the water level has decreased in both Tarbela and Mangla dams and canals are closed for cleaning and are likely to remain so for another month. Further pain is brought by the weather – the winter rains have failed this year, down 96 per cent in Punjab alone – and the stage is set for a collision of problems that have the capacity to literally bring the country to its knees. In all of this there is an irony – we are producing 7,486MW electricity against an installed capacity of 20,231MW. Power generation has fallen to just above one-third of the generation capacity and is set to fall further in coming days. This time, it really could be 'game over'.

Well, it is sad.
Zardari and company have a lot of business interest and the way
they are doing it is to create a short fall and then using that short fall
to award supply contracts to people who give zardari some money.

Same was PPP's modus operetta when they came in power last time,
and boasted that they had installed surplus power generation and were ready to export.

The oil industry of Pakistan is dominated by only 30-40 people who
are just exploiting the situation.

KILL them all along with their political instruments
and gain freedom !

 

[KillBill]

I have some questions here,

Doesnt Pak has thermal power plants? ( Coal based?) whats the standard of those now? and Does Pakistan use oil to generate electricity and does that make a huge share of total electricity generation.

This def makes a point for everyone to move towards Nuclear Power generation, FAST !!!

 

[Sinnerman108]

I have some questions here,

Doesnt Pak has thermal power plants? ( Coal based?) whats the standard of those now? and Does Pakistan use oil to generate electricity and does that make a huge share of total electricity generation.

This def makes a point for everyone to move towards Nuclear Power generation, FAST !!!

Pakistan possibly has amongst the largest coal reserves in the world.
However for some reason unknown the thermal power plants are
just not coming into production or are subdued through bureaucratic channels in favor of expensive oil and to a lesser extent gas based
power plants.

Currently Hydro-electric forms the major part of power production,
which is under threat due to drought conditions.

Yes Nuclear energy seems to be the way to go.

I would however add Solar as well.

50% + of Pakistan's land comprising of un-livable mountains gets
sunshine 365 days a year.

It is amazing how the working of a country can be controlled and even fooled if substantial influence is attained over one's bureaucracy.

 

[Evil Flare]

Installed Capacity of 20,000 MW & we are still going for Rental Plants which also uses OIL ..

What the Hell is this ?

 

[Sinnerman108]

Installed Capacity of 20,000 MW & we are still going for Rental Plants which also uses OIL ..

What the Hell is this ?

Sir , This hell is the democratic government of Pakistan.

 

[KillBill]

Pakistan possibly has amongst the largest coal reserves in the world.
However for some reason unknown the thermal power plants are
just not coming into production or are subdued through bureaucratic channels in favor of expensive oil and to a lesser extent gas based
power plants.

Currently Hydro-electric forms the major part of power production,
which is under threat due to drought conditions.

Yes Nuclear energy seems to be the way to go.

I would however add Solar as well.

50% + of Pakistan's land comprising of un-livable mountains gets
sunshine 365 days a year.

It is amazing how the working of a country can be controlled and even fooled if substantial influence is attained over one's bureaucracy.

Exactly my point was, if Pak has so much of Coal why to go for expensive gas and Oil and when you know that you dont have them in abundance like arabian nations?

Solar definitely is the solution, along with wind. In India these days most of the independent house, water heaters are driven by solar energy, also suzlon is setting up a huge wind power generator.

Surprising that the beurocracy can fool so easily...

 

[Awesome]

nuclear energy produces very little power. The best power production is done by Hydro-power plants. We need to move towards that.

 

[Solomon2]

nuclear energy produces very little power. The best power production is done by Hydro-power plants. We need to move towards that.

Nuclear energy can provide quite a bit of power; in France by far the largest component of the electricity production is nuclear. It is large-scale wind and solar that produce only a few thousand kw in comparison to thousand-megawatt thermal and nuclear plants.

I don't doubt that Pakistan has quite a bit of hydropower potential. The World Bank is often happy to fund such projects. Yet the problems Pakistan has with electricity don't seem to be caused by inadequate infrastructure but rather inadequate regulation and management. So if Pakistan's people and politicians consider this first, then the rest should follow.

 

[Iggy]

Pakistan possibly has amongst the largest coal reserves in the world.
However for some reason unknown the thermal power plants are
just not coming into production or are subdued through bureaucratic channels in favor of expensive oil and to a lesser extent gas based
power plants.

Currently Hydro-electric forms the major part of power production,
which is under threat due to drought conditions.

Yes Nuclear energy seems to be the way to go.

I would however add Solar as well.

50% + of Pakistan's land comprising of un-livable mountains gets
sunshine 365 days a year.

It is amazing how the working of a country can be controlled and even fooled if substantial influence is attained over one's bureaucracy.

.

Salman is read in some article that Pakistan is currently importing a large quantity of coal from Australia..Is it true?

And also i agree with Asim about Hydro power..but also Pakistan should invest in renewable energy source like wind and solar power now..thermal power plants good for now ..but will be more difficult to maintain it in the future with the price of raw materials are increasing..just my two cents

 

[Maddy2105]

Game over

Friday, January 08, 2010

Power generation is approaching a crisis again and this time it has the potential to be truly catastrophic rather than merely an unconscionable burden. National fuel reserves – the fuel that is used to power thermal generators – have dropped to twelve days.

Pakistan State Oil is unable to import the oil that we desperately need because it cannot afford to pay for it. Two ships are already loaded and waiting to bring the oil to us but until their cargo is paid for they will not leave port. The PSO general manager was perhaps understandably reticent when asked about this matter but grudgingly admitted that the ships had been delayed and that any further comment on the oil reserves and how long they would last if not replenished was 'not in the interest of the country.'

Not in the interests of the country? It most certainly is in the interests of the country because if this little wrinkle is not ironed out soon, we could be facing not just loadshedding but a national power shutdown for all but essential services – an eventuality that is now measurably imminent. It is not known where the ships carrying the oil are at present, but even if their cargo is paid for today and they can leave on the next tide they will take days to get here and unload; and we are running out of days. The underlying cause of the lack of liquidity at PSO is the eternal problem of circular debt – they can't pay for the oil because they are not themselves paid what they are owed. Into the equation has to be added the fact that hydro power generation is very low at 517MW -- understandable as the water level has decreased in both Tarbela and Mangla dams and canals are closed for cleaning and are likely to remain so for another month. Further pain is brought by the weather – the winter rains have failed this year, down 96 per cent in Punjab alone – and the stage is set for a collision of problems that have the capacity to literally bring the country to its knees. In all of this there is an irony – we are producing 7,486MW electricity against an installed capacity of 20,231MW. Power generation has fallen to just above one-third of the generation capacity and is set to fall further in coming days. This time, it really could be 'game over'.

Could not afford to pay ....err...Isn't importing oil more important than monument of Benezir bhutto ?

Correct my weird confusion ..just cant understand Pakistan's govt use of funds

 

[Sinnerman108]

Could not afford to pay ....err...Isn't importing oil more important than monument of Benezir bhutto ?

Correct my weird confusion ..just cant understand Pakistan's govt use of funds

That unfortunately is the sad truth.
Democracy seems yet to be delivered from under feudal mind set
which dominates the political scene and thus the incapable management.

SEIKO:
You are right, presently half the problem is caused by an ill maintained
national grid.
At present engineers capable of fixing this are not hired, instead party workers have been gifted these jobs.
Engineers are working outside the country.


Yes coal is imported from Australia for the steel mill.
Apparently the local coal is not good enough ( which is not true)
however the import happens because some one makes a lot of money in shipping and import bills.

 

[AHMED85]

i think this is only game over of present government
there is possible changes need in our all institutions not in any one
and the high level authorities fill with full of capabilities not like Rehman Malik and others ??????
its all structure problem

PSO ka Allah Hafiz hai

 

[AHMED85]

Here is not over the game of Pakistani resources but we have done a big mistake in utilizing the coil. and other commercial geographical things.
Pakistan have its own great treasures
but have weak structure

 

[mjnaushad]

Its not the Govt fault. It is our fault. After BB's assassination we choose PPP. we should have thought that BB is not here now. Its her husband. We chose corrupt people so we'll have to bear them (at least for 5 years).