Latest news with #HESCO
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Earth sciences ministry to collaborate with HESCO on nature lab initiative
Dehradun: Joint secretary of the ministry of earth sciences, Senthil Pandian, along with scientists Sanjay Bisht, Akhilesh Singh, and Vikram Singh, director of IMD Uttarakhand, visited the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO) near Dehradun recently. The team explored the concept of a Nature Lab, reviewing related experiments like the Suklapur Model and its ecological and economic impacts. HESCO founder and Padma Bhushan awardee Anil Joshi said the ministry plans to collaborate with HESCO to bring the Nature Lab to life. Pandian emphasised the importance of integrated efforts to conserve nature by studying the interconnections between water, forests, soil, and air.
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Work on Yellow BRT project: Sharjeel terms progress ‘satisfactory'
KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that the progress on the Yellow Line BRT project is satisfactory, with work advancing swiftly on two key components, the construction of depots and the new structure replacing the former Jam Sadiq Bridge. He emphasised that the government's objective is to complete the project ahead of schedule to provide the citizens of Karachi with access to modern and high-quality public transport services. Talking to media after reviewed the construction work of the Yellow Line BRT at the Jam Sadiq Bridge, he said that the Sindh government's priority is to integrate all BRT lines in the megacity, including the Green Line, Orange Line, Red Line, and Yellow Line, which will significantly ease traffic congestion. He added that electric buses (EV buses) are being introduced under the Yellow Line and other BRTs. In response to a question about the Red Line BRT, he acknowledged that there had indeed been some challenges; however, the pace of construction has now picked up again, and the progress is satisfactory. He said that the Sindh government is set to launch double-decker buses and Pakistan's first electric taxi service (EV Taxi) in Karachi in August. Additionally, Pink EV scooters will be provided free of cost, especially for women, to ensure safe and convenient transportation. He said that all these initiatives are part of the Sindh government's broader vision to reduce environmental pollution in Karachi and to provide a modern and efficient transport infrastructure. Memon said that water has been drained from most areas of Hyderabad following the recent rains, but some issues were encountered due to the power suspensions caused by HESCO. The administration used generators to drain water from the affected areas. To a question, he said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should be allowed to function in accordance with its mandate, but Ali Amin Gandapur appears to be acting more like a member of the opposition. Regarding the MQM, he said that they should abandon the politics of hatred and instead focuses on addressing public issues. Regarding the children of the PTI founder, he said that if they wish to come to Pakistan and take part in politics, they should be allowed to do so; however, the politics of chaos will never be tolerated. Regarding the building collapse in Lyari, he stated that the building was constructed illegally without any approved plan. He also confirmed the formation of an inquiry committee and the arrest of several individuals in connection with the incident. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Half-hour downpour paralyses Hyderabad
Around half an hour long downpour inundated many parts of Hyderabad on Monday afternoon, with the downtown city and the low-lying areas particularly affected by the sewage-mixed rainwater approaching ankle to knee-deep levels. Residents and traders alike complained of water entering their places. The Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded up to 53 millimetres of rain which was preceded by a fleeting yet blinding dust storm. At least one rain related death, caused by an incident of roof collapse in a shop of the Timber Market in City taluka, was reported in the city where dozens of trees and signboards were brought down by the stormy gusts. The police identified the deceased as Naek Muhammad who hailed from Moro town of Naushehro Feroze district. Nazim Chaang, Farzand Ali and Roshan Ali were injured in the same incident. Power outages, as expected, instantly followed the showers with the Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation (HWSC) and Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) blaming Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) for non-functioning of the drainage pumping stations. The Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of flooding in parts of Hyderabad and he was also briefed by Mayor HMC Kashif Ali Shoro about the situation. The mayor acknowledged that rainwater accumulated in several areas of Hyderabad. He informed the CM that HWSC's drainage pumping stations stopped functioning because of the power outages conducted by HESCO. The CM gave instructions for swift drainage of rainwater from the roads, streets and neighbourhoods to restore normal life. Interestingly, while HESCO is being indirectly blamed for flooding of streets and neighbourhoods because the pumping stations could not work, a press statement issued by DC Hyderabad immediately after the rain had conveyed that the stations were directed to maintain 'abundant fuel supply' for electricity generators. The citizens vented their anger on the authorities by posting videos of flooded roads and neighbourhoods on social media, questioning the government's claims of preparedness to meet the rain related challenges. They also questioned why even after spending hundreds of millions of rupees on the drainage infrastructure, the problem of choking and spilling out of sewage still existed. Haider Chowk, Station Road, Thandi Sarak, Paretabad, Liaquat Colony, Teen Number Talab, Lohar Mohalla in City taluka as well as scores of localities in Latifabad and Qasimabad talukas went under ankle to knee deep water after the rain. Vehicles were seen stuck on roads as the city's main arterial roads became submerged with the motorists finding it too uphill to commute. In a belated press statement, HESCO's spokesman Sadiq Kubar informed that collapse of 12 transmission towers disrupted power supply to the company's 18 grid stations, affecting over a hundred feeders. In Hyderabad alone 152 electric feeders were shut down immediately after the rain. Around 100 of them were restored by the night but 52 were still not being supplied power because the fallen trees had damaged the transmission lines. He claimed that around 400 poles of 11 KV transmission cables fell in Hyderabad.
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Wolrd Bank approves $55m in additional financing to Discos
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has approved additional $55 million to Distribution Companies (Discos) under the Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project, sources told Business Recorder. 'The delegate authority of the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank has approved, on June 27,2025, the International Development Association (IDA) additional financing in the amount of $55 million to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project,' the sources quoted WB as saying in a letter to Economic Affairs Division. Technical discussions were held on June 18, 2205 at the World Bank's Islamabad office. The additional financing aims to further enhance the operational and financial performance of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) through the scaled deployment of Asset Performance Management Systems (APMS). World Bank may give extra $50m financing to Discos Both HESCO and PESCO, currently among the poorest-performing Discos, have not been slated for privatisation so far. The additional financing is fully aligned with the project's development objectives, which include improving operational efficiency in targeted areas of selected distribution companies, supporting progress on the power sector reform agenda, and advancing the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) between the Government of Pakistan and the World Bank. During negotiations, discussions covered the draft Financing Agreement between the Government of Pakistan (the Recipient) and the World Bank (the Association), the draft Project Agreements with HESCO and PESCO (the Project Implementing Entities), the draft Project Paper (PP), the Disbursement and Financial Information Letter (DFIL), and the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP). In line with the World Bank's Access to Information Policy, once a project is approved by the Country Director for financing, the Association publicly discloses the PP, legal agreements, and other relevant documentation. The Association may also release the PP upon its distribution to the Board, subject to the Recipient's consent. Discos will share data contained in the PP that may be confidential or sensitive and could potentially impact the relationship between the World Bank and the Government of Pakistan. Suggested revisions to the PP's wording were discussed to resolve any issues related to its release. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
28-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Letters sent to ministers: APTMA for revising grid connection charges, suspending FO levies
ISLAMABAD: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has sought rationalization of grid connection charges, reduction in grid connection time and suspension of petroleum and carbon levies on Furnace Oil (FO). In letters to Power Minister Sardar Awais Leghari, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Director General Textile (Commerce Ministry), Chairman APTMA, Kamran Arshad stated that the government has adopted policies to transition industrial captive generation loads to grid electricity. However, the punitive levies imposed have rendered industrial operations financially unviable without offering a viable transition pathway to grid-based power. Ready to help build robust framework: APTMA questions Nepra's tariff-setting capacity Aptma maintains that the imposition of a Rs. 791/Mmbtu levy on gas used for captive power generation has made it entirely cost-prohibitive. While intended to encourage migration to the electricity grid, the reality on ground is that many industrial units still lack grid connections and, in response, have been compelled to switch to furnace oil (FO)-based captive generation. The Association stated that the imposition of a petroleum levy of Rs. 82,000/ton on FO-on top of the base price of approximately Rs. 130,000/ton—has now left these industries with no economically viable power source. Aptma has cited the example of Soorty Enterprises, a major textile and apparel manufacturer with $400 million in annual exports, employing 35,000 people across different divisions. Soorty has two mills, one in Landhi under KE and another on the Super Highway under HESCO, with a total power requirement of 35MW. Following the grid transition levy on gas, both shifted from gas to FO-fired captive generation that costs around Rs. 33/kWh, compared to around Rs. 29-30/kWh on the grid and will shoot up to Rs. 51/kWh following the levies on FO. The company prefers to run its operations on the electricity grid under KE and HESCO, as it is cheaper than FO-fired captive generation even before the levy. However, KE and HESCO have quoted a cost of Rs 8 billion each to provide grid connections to these units, totalling Rs 16 billion to be paid up front. Additionally, they have been told that it would take about 3 years to connect them to the grid, with no guarantee of timely completion or energisation. On top of this, the company would be responsible for getting approvals from several government departments (like FWO, railways, local authorities, etc.), which adds further costs and difficulties. This situation is wholly untenable. The company cannot rely on gas or FO-fired generation for 3 years with the punitive levies as it will go out of business. However, paying Rs. 16 billion upfront for a grid connection with no guarantee of timely access will also push the company towards bankruptcy. It is at a dead end, with no viable options. 'While we have highlighted the example of only one company, and that too one of the biggest exporters of Pakistan, the same issues are being faced by several of our members, particularly in urban hubs like Lahore and Karachi where issues related to right of way and land availability are prevalent,' Aptma Chief said adding that no company can afford to pay billions of rupees for a grid connection, especially without any guarantee of timely completion. On the one hand, the industry is being penalized for using alternate fuels such as gas and FO and on the other hand, it is effectively barred from accessing the grid due to prohibitively high connection charges, excessive lead times, and bureaucratic delays. It is neither reasonable nor practical for the Government to mandate grid transition while the distribution companies impose insurmountable barriers to achieving it. Considering the foregoing, Aptma recommended the following: (i) Grid connection charges for export-oriented industrial units be rationalized and brought within a financially viable range;(ii) Grid connections be completed and fully energized within a maximum period of six months from fulfillment of demand notes; and (iii) all levies on industrial captive generation -including petroleum and carbon levies on FO-be suspended until all industrial units relying on gas/FO as primary sources of energy are provided affordable and operational grid connections. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
