–Lahore’s current demand surges to 4000MW, an all-time high
–Residents of metropolis being provided low voltage that damage electronic appliances
LAHORE: Residents of various areas of the metropolis on Monday witnessed yet another terrible day due to the unannounced and unscheduled load shedding amid the scorching heat and fasting, Pakistan Today observed.
Like Nawaz Sharif, the current outgoing Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had directed the power division last month to ensure the supply of electricity during the holy month of Ramzan but all power distribution companies badly failed to supply the uninterrupted electric supply.
The people of many areas falling under the jurisdiction of Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) including Lahore city, had been facing unscheduled and extensive power outages since the holy month started but with the rising mercury, the duration of load shedding has increased which added to the problem.
Besides, there were so many complaints related to the damaging of electronic appliances due to the low voltage provided by the power supply companies. An official of the power supply companies, on the condition of anonymity, admitted that there is low voltage in several areas which may harm their electronic gadgets and appliances. He said that power companies have no other way to meet the schedule apart from supplying low voltage.
However, LESCO officials had been claiming that a forced loads-shedding was being carried out at the feeders facing line-losses. But on yesterday, the residents of almost all the areas complaint for hours long load-shedding.
Locals in Ali Town, Awan Town and many other areas located at Multan and Raiwind Road complained that power outages had increased with the rise of the mercury level in the city.
Usman Ali, a resident of Ali Town, said that since Saturday night the prolonged load shedding had plagued the town and adjoining areas. “Lives have become so miserable as people are forced to observe load shedding even in sehr and iftar timings,” he said while adding that due to unannounced load shedding people are unable to perform their religious rituals.
Sources in power sector informed that LESCO was being supplied with 3500MW electricity from the national grid, whereas its current demand surged up to 4000MW which is all time higher in the city.
Reports regarding unannounced and massive electricity load shedding were reported from different districts of Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Nankana Sahib, Hafizabad, Multan, Wazirabad, Kasur, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Okara, Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh. People from most parts of the country, including all the provincial capitals, complained that they were facing hours long load shedding.
Besides this, the people of south and central Punjab and interior Sindh have been facing up to 10-hours blackout; the situation is not different in rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan either.
Sources in energy sector disclosed that the gap between the generation and demand has climbed up to 6000MW. They said that currently national grid station was receiving 15,500MW electricity against the demand of over 21,000MW. They informed that the coming days would be crucial when shortfall may rise up to 8000MW.
The LESCO spokesman Imran Afzal told Pakistan Today that there was no load-shedding under LESCO feeders. However, he said that load-shedding on Monday carried out as load management. However, he said that company was trying to implement power schedule for Ramzan.