The Minister for Water and Power, Pervez Ashraf, on Wednesday refused to follow Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's directive on 'free of cost' provision of energy saver bulbs to consumers. Prime Minister Gilani in his first speech in the National Assembly had announced that 10 million energy savers would be provided to consumers free of cost.

FARMERS in the northern districts are facing great troubles to irrigate the last moment boro fields before harvesting due to frequent power outages. Thousands of power-run pumps remain inoperative in most of the time in a day for the frequent load-shedding. The dream of bumper production of boro paddy will be shattered if the situation of power outages is not improved immediately, the farmers said.

Energy industry says more construction needed Environmentalists argue more energy efficiency could greatly reduce the need fora huge new wave of power plants and transmission lines. In two studies out Monday, the power industry gives its terse response: Don't count on it. Increased efficiency can offset a substantial but relatively small portion of the increase in generating capacity needed to meet rising electricity demand, the studies say.

Power shortage in the central dzongkhags of Trongsa and Bumthang should become a thing of the past once Bhutan power corporation limited (BPCL) links Kurichu power, via Tingtibi in Zhemgang, by July this year. "The erection of electric poles from Tingtibi to Yurmung and Yurmung to Trongsa and stringing works are also being carried out simultaneously,' said BPCL's executive director (development and construction division), Gem Tshering. "The supply from Tingtibi will be extended to Trongsa by the first or second week of June.'

A grass-roots movement to generate power in towns and basements is challenging the energy industry's status quo.

Protectionism is adding to Japan's expensive electricity bill

Chief Executive, Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco) Muhammad Qasim Khan has urged consumers to conserve electricity and extend their co-operation to stop unnecessary and illegal usage of elec

Residential students of Rajshahi University (RU) staged angry demonstration on the campus yesterday demanding smooth water and power supply at RU residential dormitories.

An additional 2.88 million acre feet (MAF) water will be available for irrigation after the completion of Mangla Dam Raising Project.