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Differences emerge over power import from Iran

ASIF FAROOQI

ISLAMABAD: A difference of opinion has emerged between the Water and Power Development Authority and its parent ministry on the issue of power import from Iran, it is learnt on authority.

While the water and power ministry has rejected the proposal of importing 15-mw electricity from Iran for the far-flung areas of Balochistan, Wapda officials have a contrasting view of the proposed deal.

The ministry has rejected the power import for two reason, firstly, the imported power is more expensive than Wapda can generate locally and secondly, the government of Pakistan would have to bear expenses of laying a cross border transmission line.

The ministry has suggested that diesel generators should be used for power generation for the designated areas of Balochistan. The ministry has also calculated that the power produced locally would cost the government four to five cents for a unit against the imported electricity of around seven percent.

Well-placed sources said the Wapda officials believe that only the imported electricity suits the specified requirement.

The government needs 25-mw electricity to supply it to the strategically important border areas of Balochistan. As the government lacked the resources for indigenous power production for the area, a Wapda delegation visited Tehran to evaluate the proposal of importing 25-mw power from Iran.

Pakistan embassy in Tehran has put its weight behind Wapda as far as this controversy is concerned. The embassy has strongly recommended to the government that the deal should be struck with Iran for power import for the sake of diplomacy even if the project is not commercially viable.