The current wave of load shedding could continue even in the ongoing month, as PEPCO has failed to enhance electricity production from thermal generation sources and Independent Power Producers, sources told Pakistan Today. Electricity production from oil and gas in the current year has dropped considerably compared to last year.
Sources said if PEPCO managed to increase power production from IPPs, the spell of load shedding could end or decrease early, otherwise there was no chance of reduction in load shedding hours in February. Although PEPCO held the decreased hydel generation responsible for load shedding, but the company had in fact failed to enhance power generation from IPPs and thermal resources leading to massive outages.
The Hydel generation has increased, but 8-10 hours of outages are still being carried out.
Currently, the power shortfall is more than 2,500MW and is being bridged through 8 to 10 hours of load shedding across the country.
Statistics available with Pakistan Today reveal that power generation on January 31 remained 10,300MW, with thermal sources producing 1,650MW, IPPs 4,800MW, hydel generation 3,650MW and rental power plants 200MW. However in the previous year, the power generation was more than the current level in the same period.
It remained 11,085MW with a shortfall of 1,355MW as thermal sources gave 1,888MW, IPPs 5,330MW, hydel generation 3,803MW and rental plants 62MW.
“So this year, production is around 800MW lesser than the last year and it is only because of a decrease in power production from IPPs,” a senior officer of the Ministry of Water and Power said, adding that if PEPCO did not increase power production in the coming days from oil and gas, the current wave of load shedding would continue. He said there was nothing wrong with hydel generation, as canals had been opened and hydel generation was more than enough. “If you compare last year’s hydel generation with the current year’s statistics, it is evident that fault is with PEPCO’s management of the IPPs,” he said, adding that last year load shedding during the same period was not more than of four hours.
Another official of the ministry said the circular debt of the power sector had crossed the Rs 400 billion mark and was increasing by the day. He said it was the very reason that power generation from IPPs could not be increased.
He said more funds were available last year for payment to the IPPs, but the situation was not encouraging this year.
last month i paid 18000 rs electricity bill of my tubewell.in which 12000 was FPA(fuel price adjustment). I go through my last year bills nd noted that they put FPA regularly in it not more than 3000.but last month of 12000 rs FPA was unbearable.what the hell is wrong with them.despite the clear stay order from high court current government shows no mercy on common citizens like us.i dont know what type of taxes i am paying in this bill. despite paying excessive amount of bill today we are still facing 14 hours of daily loadshedding. Long live circullar debt and long live dollars.
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