The Water and Power Development Authority’s (WAPDA) Chairman, Shakeel Ahmed Durrani, said on Tuesday that complete elimination of electricity load shedding was not possible till 2018.

The National Assembly Standing Committee for Water and Power meeting was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Ghulam Mustafa Shah.

Briefing the committee, WAPDA Chairman Shakil Durrani said that Rs. 11 billion has allocated in the budget for Bhasha dam. This will enhance the water storing capacity of the dam by 0.8 million acres. He said that hydro power cost Rs 1.05 per unit while the power generated by the IPPs cost Rs 10.18 per unit.

The WAPDA chairman said that load shedding cannot be overcome until 2018 and power demand would soar to 130,000 megawatt by 2030.