5 solar, hybrid plants of 500 MW capacity on cards for Balochistan: Omar.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan Friday said the government was working on a plan to install five solar and hybrid plants, with accumulative generation capacity of 500-megawatts, in different areas of Balochitan to meet increasing electricity needs of the province.

"A 200 MW solar power plant at the Habibullah coastal power station and three plants (100 MW each) will be installed in other districts of the province," he informed the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Energy that met under the chairmanship of Imran Khattak.

He said the federal government was spending around Rs100 billion to revamp the power distribution network and prevent line loses.

Responding to a complaint of MNA Noor Alam Khan about unusual fast speed of newly installed electricity meters, the minister said new meters were installed after complete examination, however, the faulty meters could be got checked from the departments concerned through a set procedure.

He said the government was also considering to introduce pre-paid and post-paid electricity billing system, adding implementation on this mechanism would take three to four years, once it was approved.

Replying to another question about setting up feeders on agricultural land, Omar Ayub said almost 45 to 55 kanal land was required to install the facility near the 'load-center' to avoid voltage-drop.

He said the government was trying to incorporate integrated grid stations as were operating in Beijing to save space and achieve...