Sources in the Water and Power Ministry said the government had sought proposals from different ministries and departments regarding the establishment of this authority. The government’s plan to generate about 8,800MW power by 2030 necessitated a separate authority, as it also intended to separate civil and military nuclear sectors.

The sources said that at a recent meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, it was stated that the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) was working on the authority’s structure, its powers, its jurisdiction and its operations.

To achieve the target of generating 8,800MW till 2030, the government has started negotiating establishment of some new nuclear power plants. The government was in negotiations with China to establish nuclear power plants to generate 2,000MW. The sources, however, said the place of constructing the new power plants was yet to be disclosed.

The sources said the government was also trying to seek nuclear power technology from Europe, especially France and Italy, but the response was not very encouraging. They said China was the only country cooperating with Pakistan in this field.

Besides, the government was seeking Chinese cooperation in establishing two more 325-MW nuclear power plants namely Chashma II and Kanupp II. The sources said the PAEC was already working on these two projects. Senior government officials also claimed that the government had also formally approached the US to provide nuclear power plants.

A senior official in PAEC, on condition of anonymity, said the two nuclear power plants operated by the PAEC currently meet three per cent of Pakistan’s energy requirements, but with the completion of the two new plants nuclear power would provide about 10 per cent of current demand. He said these two plants were scheduled to be completed till 2012.

He further said the government was also working on Kanupp-III, with a capacity to generate 600MW of nuclear power. In addition to it, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is vigorously working on the sites where in more nuclear power plants could be installed.

The sources said the current year could be the starting point of the electricity crisis in the country as the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) is going to face a shortage of over 400MW this year. The sources added former water and power minister Aftab Sherpao in early 2004 announced that by year 2010 additional power required will be 5,529MW and the additional power generation will need an investment of about $5 billion for five years (2006-10).

Data of the Water and Power Ministry revealed that the projected electricity shortage would be alarming in the coming years. As per the data, the firm supply in the year 2006 will be 15,072MW against peak demand of 15,483MW resulting in a shortage of 411MW.

Firm supply in 2007 will be 15,091MW against the peak load of 16,548, resulting in a shortage of 1,457MW, in 2008 the firm supply will be 15,055MW as compared to the peak load demand of 17,689, which will result in a shortfall of about 2,634MW.

In 2009 the firm supply would remain at 15,055 whereas the peak load demand will increase to 19,080MW, resulting in a shortage of 4,025MW and in 2010 the firm supply will again remain at 15,055MW, while the peak demand will reach 20,584MW, causing a shortage of 5,529MW.

Wapda sources claimed that at present different lobbies were active in power sector to promote their own interests. The lobbies include those of the oil producing companies, IPPs, Alternate Energy Supporters, hydro-electricity promoters and nuclear power supporters.

The sources said all the lobbies were active in promoting the sectors, which they deal besides discouraging investment in other sectors.