MUHAMMAD SHAFA

KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chapter’s chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has sent a letter to Nepra in which he presented recommendations regarding permission to K-Electric to add RLNG as an alternate fuel for its existing power plants.

The KE has requested Nepra for license proposed modification (LPM) to seek permission to add Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG).

In this regard, JI Karachi chief sent letter to National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) registrar in which he said that RLNG is a cleaner fuel, and reduction in carbon emissions is one of its important benefits; but, Nepra should draft a tariff that should be consumer-friendly. He proposed that ‘Fresh Technical Due Diligence’ study on KE’s Bin Qasim Power Station (BQPS) should be carried out through independent consultants. He said the Report should provide unit-wise information on actual generation, auxiliary consumption, and secondary fuel consumption, gross calorific value of RLNG, heat rate, efficiency and O&M Cost.

The KE has requested Nepra for license proposed modification (LPM) to seek permission to add Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) as an alternate fuel for its exiting power plants as BQPS-1 and II-Korangi Combined Cycle Power Plant (KCCPP), Gas Turbine Power Station Korangi Karachi (KGTPS), Gas Turbine Power Station Site.

On the other hand, Nepra, through a notice, has sought recommendations from the stakeholders in favour or against the communicated LPM.

Naeemur Rehman said Karachi, the highest tax paying city, is suffering the most due to bad performance of K-Electric’s excessive and un-scheduled and artificial load-shedding during heat-wave and harsh hot weather.

He alleged that K-Electric has failed to comply with prudent utility practices by operating its generation facilities in the event of fault. It has been more than a week that K-Electric not able to restore Bin Qasim tripped unit.

For avoiding such events in future, he said, Nepra should consider internal and external performance factors during the tariff formulation.

The internal factors affecting plant performance are: Proper and timely maintenance and overhaul of all pieces of equipment at the plant in accordance with manufacturer’s maintenance manuals/ guidelines, timely detection of major defects and taking corrective action, timely replacement of worn out parts, availability of spares, conduct of energy audits and action on their recommendations, preparation and propagation of safety manuals and conduct of safety drills, frequency and efficacy of inspections by NEPRA and follow up action.

The external factors affecting plant performance are: Quantity and quality (caloric value and pressure) of RLNG received at the plant, ambient temperatures which affect the efficiency of gas turbines, valid sales purchase agreement (SPA) of RLNG. He proposed tariff petition hearing should be held in Karachi to ensure transparency. Tariff matter related to Karachi, and all stakeholders including utility, petitioners and customers should belong to Karachi.

Meanwhile, Mazhar Chaudhary of K-Electric’s Consumer Forum urged the government to accelerate its efforts for the completion of much-delayed Iran-Pakistan Gas pipeline Project which is what he said a cheaper, environment-friendly fuel and a durable solution for the energy crises of the country.