Pakistan: Measures to cut energy consumption by 30pc

In an effort to tide over the country’s worst ever energy shortage, the federal government has asked the provinces and trade and industrial bodies to strictly observe a set of energy conservation measures to reduce consumption by about 30 per cent with immediate effect.

In a letter to the chief secretaries of the provinces, Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas, and about 50 member organisations of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the Planning Commission has said the country is “ facing an acute and growing energy shortage coupled with rapidly rising consumption, depleting domestic oil and gas reserves and escalating international fuel prices”.
The electricity shortfall is of grave consequence not only for the national economy but also for the wellbeing of the citizens. “Gravity of the situation demands that appropriate measures are put in place to reduce the consequences to the economy and society.”

The provincial governments and district, city, tehsil and union council nazims have been asked to adopt the standard conservation procedures in public offices. Through the FPCCI, all private establishments were asked to reduce energy consumption.

Some of the measures suggested by the government may not be implemented immediately given the initial costs of the replacement of the existing equipment. The government has decided to appoint energy management auditors in major cities to ensure compliance with conservation measures.

Dawn