The Minister for Water and Power, Pervez Ashraf, on Wednesday refused to follow Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's directive on 'free of cost' provision of energy saver bulbs to consumers. Prime Minister Gilani in his first speech in the National Assembly had announced that 10 million energy savers would be provided to consumers free of cost. However, the Minister for Water and Power in a presentation to the Cabinet on action plan for 100 days said that the Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) had been directed to ensure provision of 10 million energy saving bulbs at a reasonable price. This was a clear violation of Prime Minister's directive. The Minister is also of the view that energy savers should only be given to those domestic consumers who consume 200-300 units per month, excluding other categories. Sources said that Pepco has already distributed 12,500 energy savers as pilot project, whereas open tenders for procurement of remaining 9 million bulbs were being invited. It was not clear whether the Pepco has distributed 12,500 energy savers among the consumers free of cost and what was the criterion. The Cabinet was apprised that the campaign launched to save 500 MW electricity remained unsuccessful as the target of 220 MW saving with the closure of shopping plazas after 8 pm, and staggering industrial holidays and ToD meters for tube-wells has not been achieved. However, Pepco has succeeded in saving 350 MW electricity through switching of billboards, street lights alternately and reducing load of steel furnaces during peak hours. The Minister also briefed the Cabinet about the merits and demerits of Kalabagh dam. The presentation, a copy of which was made available to Business Recorder, shows that detailed engineering design of Diamir Basha Dam, to cost $8.52 billion, would be ready in a couple of days and tenders would be invited early in 2009. PC-II of Akhroi dam ($44.5 billion) for detailed engineering design has been submitted for approval, whereas PC-II for feasibility and detailed engineering design of Munda dam is also under the process for approval. The Minister, in his presentation, projected that the capacity of Thar coal power project would be enhanced to produce 5000 to 20,000 MW electricity, but did not give the action plan. It was said that a separate presentation would be made to the Prime Minister next month on Thar coal project. The much talked about 2200 MW additional power would be generated by public and private sectors ie Shydo, 81 hydel power, Pepco (public sector) 1427 MW, private sector( PPIB) 615 MW and KESC 405 MW. Copyright Business Recorder, 2008