Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Energy conservation plan Pakistan

 

Early closure of markets on the cards as govt seeks provinces’ support for energy conservation plan

Dawn.com Published December 20, 2022   

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that the government would approach the provinces for the implementation of a policy aimed at saving energy.The announcement comes a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities concerned to take steps to reduce circular debt in the energy sector.

 

“The distribution companies of Sui gas should improve the system of recovery of bills and no additional burden should be put on gas and electricity consumers,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.

 

Media reports quoting the power division have said that the circular debt which stood at Rs2.253 trillion by end of September last year had now reached Rs2.437 trillion, showing an increase of Rs185bn.

 

He said that estimates had shown that if 20 per cent of the government workforce worked from home on a rotation basis, Rs56 billion could be saved. “It is mainly about the nation limiting its lifestyle,” he said.

 

He further said that the timing of wedding halls would be limited to 10pm, while restaurants, hotels and markets would close down by 8pm. He, however, said that there may be some room for the closing time for restaurants to be extended by an hour.

 

The minister said that by implementing these few steps, the country would be able to save Rs62bn.

 

Asif said that the government was slowly working on shifting to renewable energy but until that was achieved, such measures were important.

 

He went on to say that energy-efficient fans and bulbs would soon be introduced in the market, which would further help save Rs38bn. “Similarly, if street lights are used alternatively, we would be able to save Rs4bn.”

 

The minister also revealed that the government was in talks with motorcycle companies for electric bikes. “The motorcycles that run on petrol will slowly be phased out.

 

“We have begun imports for e-bikes and have started negotiations with motorcycle companies for the modification of existing motorcycles […] this will save us around Rs86bn,” he added.

 

If all these measures were translated, Asif continued, “you will see that a lot of money can be saved”.

 

He added that the Ministry of Information would be running a media campaign to spread awareness regarding these new measures among the public.

 

Talking about water conservation, the minister said that the government had devised ways through which rain water could be harvested and used for daily household consumption. https://www.dawn.com/news/1727351/early-closure-of-markets-on-the-cards-as-govt-seeks-provinces-support-for-energy-conservation-plan

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