POWER CRISIS
Salahuddin Ayubi, On e-mail
The entire electricity generation, transmission and distribution system is highly inefficient and ridden with corruption. Our administration has the uncanny knack for buying the most inefficient and useless power plants complying with the procurement regulations at above market price. If we wish to solve this perennial power shortage, then our intentions have to be honest and there should be minimum scope of corruption. I have a few questions in my mind but have not been able to find answers to these from any source, including websites of the organisations involved with generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The questions are: How much does it cost PDB to produce one unit of electricity? What is the percentage loss of electricity in the plant i.e. till electricity passes the first major step down the transformer. Transmission loss of electricity over a unit distance (one Km.) Distribution and pilferage losses of electricity in percentage after the electricity reaches the substation at the city gate. The rate at which PDB sells electricity to DESA, DESCO and REB. The rate at which PDB purchases electricity from independent power producers, particularly from very large producers. I am sure if all this information is gathered and then disseminated it may be found that it will be cheaper for us to purchase electricity from large independent power producers. These power producers are experienced and efficient. Moreover, they are able to install efficient and reliable power plants within a short time. Those who oppose this idea would like to argue that we have to pay for the electricity in foreign currency. When we pay for the electricity from our own power plants we have to pay for the cost of the plant with interest. Then there is a glut of various conditions imposed by loan giving agencies, making the project not very attractive. So if we want uninterrupted and reliable power supply, I would recommend that (I) We purchase our electricity from independent power producers instead of having our own power plant. (II) There should be a separate company responsible for transmission of electricity which will be paid on the basis of distance over which the electricity has to be transmitted. The loss permissible per unit distance (Km) has to be agreed upon beforehand. The loss beyond the permissible limit will be on the account of the transmission company. (III) Larger city and industrial areas are to be divided into several zones. These will be entrusted to different electricity distribution companies. PDB will collect charges from these companies on the basis of electricity supplied to them at their substation receiving the electricity. I hope the above measures will help mitigate the power crisis.
| 
