LAHORE – Load-shedding of four to six hours returned on Sunday, as power production decreased due to certain reasons. Despite being a holiday and all offices and shopping centres closed, people continued to suffer from continuous power outages, which added to their miseries. The situation has taken aback consumers who were not ready for a sudden increase in load shedding.
With the wedding season going on in full swing and functions of Rabiul Awal reaching their peak, power production fell, keeping citizens in limbo. Interestingly, Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) Energy and Management Conservation (EMC) Director General Muhammad Khalid had claimed four days ago that there would be no load shedding for domestic users, as the power shortfall has decreased.
But his claim remained short-lived and load shedding started. PEPCO sources said that the company is getting at least 800MW less, as hydel and thermal generation has dropped. They said that supplies to the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) also increased, which increased burden on other distribution companies owing to which they have to opt for load shedding.
On Saturday, total production remained 10,241MW compared to 11,020MW on Friday recording a fall of 779MW. The power shortfall, which was roaming at 400MW increased sharply on Saturday and touched 785MW while on Friday, the shortfall remained 370MW. PEPCO sources said that there have witnessed a significant cut of 560MW in hydel production.
Similarly, Independent Power Producers (IPP) also reduced production, which stood at 4,328MW on Saturday while on Friday it was 4,713MW creating a shortfall of 385MW. “There has been a significant decline in hydel generation and production from IPPs. PEPCO high-ups were very much aware of it but they are doing nothing to check load shedding,” sources said adding that if the situation remained the same then there could be more load shedding.
They said that it is high time PEPCO officials perceive the situation and act accordingly otherwise it would be too late. Another reason of increase in load shedding is supplying of more electricity to the KESC, which is getting around 700MW daily. According to rules, KESC is responsible for production of electricity from its own resources but it is not doing so and getting extra electricity from the national grid. Sources said that the KESC is a white elephant and being supplied electricity from PEPCO.
“PEPCO is responsible for electricity supplies to other distribution companies but it is constantly giving electricity to KESC,” sources said adding that the KESC did not pay for the electricity supplied to it while other distribution companies give regular payments to PEPCO.
Consumers criticised PEPCO for starting load shedding all of a sudden. “I had to go to a wedding but all of a sudden electricity was closed,” said consumer Fahad Hussain. Another citizen Abdul Rehman said that he arranged a religious gathering but electricity was closed and the function was spoiled. “PEPCO should spare people during evening time,” he demanded.
