- A key promise partially fulfilled
Present demand, 13,777megawatts, present supply 16,477 mw was the welcome figure quoted by the federal power minister on Sunday, but in winter, when split air conditioners, which have mushroomed on Lahore’s high rises just as unruly motorcyclists have multiplied on city roads, and water coolers and fans are turned off, still to an extent realising the ‘shadow’ prime minister’s pledge of zero load shedding by November 2017. Initially, about 15 million consumers residing in urban and rural areas, with less than 10 percent power theft, would benefit. Country-wide load shedding will be halted at 5,297 out of 8,600 feeders, whereas the previous number of such fortunate feeders was just 326. In LESCO’s case, the number of zero load shedding feeders has been raised from 58 to102. As for the left out 193 million citizens, according to the latest (disputed) census, power cuts would be commensurate with ‘line losses’ (the aforesaid power theft), and spread over two to 20 hours daily. The minister voiced the awesome figure of 25,000 mw production target after ongoing power plants come into operation, and rightly talked of a radical change in the distribution system and bill recovery.
The real test will be in the coming summer, with national elections (hopefully) looming, temperatures hitting high forties, and tempers rising correspondingly. An average shortfall of 2,500 mw translates into eight to 10 hours of load shedding, and the deficit can climb to 4,000 mw in peak summer, meaning undergoing 16-20 hours’ torment daily, more so in the rural districts. And therein lies the rub. Even an electricity surplus needs modern equipment, infrastructure and an ordered distribution system, one that does not break down at the first drops of rain or wind gusts. The per unit cost must be drastically reduced to benefit domestic consumers and exporters, and the power bill rid of oppressive taxes, including the ridiculous PTV fee. The recovery aspect also requires severe implementation, as VIPs and top bureaucrats are habitual defaulters, and their dues pile up indefinitely to the detriment of ordinary consumers, and also give rise to the circular debt. Still, one should be grateful for small governmental mercies.
