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Energy security as vital as food: Pepco MD

LAHORE: "Energy security is as vital as food and territorial security of the country. We will have to gird up our loins and work selflessly to ensure the success of the energy reforms initiated by the government to salvage the country out of the present energy cri-sis".

This was stated by Rasul Khan Mahsud, Managing Director of Pep-co, while addressing his maiden conference with the chief execu-tive officers (CEOs) of discos and officials of Pepco at Wapda House on Saturday. In his address to the CEOs, he termed the present energy situation in the country as 'grave', and called for redoubling efforts by improvement in the efficiency, better delivery system and services to the customers.

Mahsud said: "We have no choice but to perform. Failure is not an option. The country comes first; we have to work to save the energy sector." He expressed confidence that the CEOs, who were experienced energy professionals, would "now rise to the occa-sion" and make their contribution to bring the country out of the present energy crisis. He said that he has an open mind and is prepared to give due consideration to any initiative, proposal or suggestion, for improving the energy situation in the country.

The Pepco Managing Director said that he is fully aware of the fi-nancial, administrative and technical requirements of the discos, and assured them of all-out support. He urged the CEOs that they would have to accelerate their efforts, but cautioned that their di-rections should not be hasty.

Lesco CEO Saleem Akhtar briefed the conference on the 'Automatic Meter Reading' (smart metering) pilot project. He said that these meters were installed in Shadbagh and Shadman areas on trial basis. The cost of the project is Rs 6.2 million. The unique feature of' AMR' is that it has a firefly installed in it. This facilitates two-way communication. If anyone tinkers with the meter, by-passes it, or the data is lost because of the damage to the meter, the same is not only communicated in real time but is also saved in adjacent meter installed within the area. The Lesco Chief Executive informed the conference that line losses showed a marked decline from 11 percent to 2.9 percent where smart meters were installed.

After an intense debate over the pros and cons of the smart me-ters the Managing Director constituted a committee to submit a report about its technical and financial feasibility within one week. The next issue that was discussed at the conference was the re-lentless complaints of overbilling by customers from all over the country. The Pepco Managing Director said that at a time when ta-riffs are high, "we cannot unnecessarily burden our valued cus-tomers by overbilling." This, he said, would not be tolerated, and stringent actions would have to be taken against those found in-volved in overbilling.

He also expressed concern over complaints of theft of electricity and line losses, which were affecting the financial health of the energy sector. He said that apart from augmentation, modernisa-tion and upgradation of the distribution system, "to cut line losses, we will have to launch a vigorous campaign" against those who are involved in electricity theft, and show no leniency if any official of the concerned distribution company collaborates in this illegal act. "Such officials are a cancer in our system and must be removed. They will not be tolerated," he said.

The Pepco Managing Director said that industry is a vital sector of the economy and its energy demands must be met on top priority. He, therefore, directed the distribution companies to keep this in mind while chalking out future load management plan.