–NEPRA tells NTDC to submit report over unannounced countrywide outages
–As many as 15 power production units of Tarbela hydropower project shut down
ISLAMABAD: Load-shedding in parts of Punjab and interior Sindh continued on the third consecutive as the power shortfall exceeded 2,800MW owing to smog and some technical faults.
According to details, load-shedding duration reached 12 hours in big cities and 14 hours in rural areas.
Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) officials said that total production of electricity was around 9,800MW while the demand was more than 12,500MW.
Earlier it was reported that four power plants had tripped due to bad weather and smog. On the other hand, electricity shortage due to undergoing desilting of canals was another reason behind extended load-shedding.
The officials confirmed Friday that the Nishat Choniyan, Baloki, Guddu and Nishat power plants had tripped causing an immediate shortfall of some 250MW.
Under the schedule, PEPCO, Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and all other distribution companies had started load-shedding in their respective regions.
According to PEPCO, the normal supply of electricity is expected to resume after the faults are fixed.
NEPRA SEEKS REPORT FROM NTDC:
Meanwhile, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) sought a report from the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) over unannounced power outages across the country.
According to NEPRA’s spokesperson, the NTDC has been asked to submit a detailed report over unscheduled load-shedding that has irked the masses.
“People of the country are facing hardships due to unannounced and prolonged power outages and concrete steps should be taken to overcome the issue,” the spokesperson said.
12 TARBELA POWER UNITS SHUT DOWN:
Separately, Tarbela Dam spokesperson said as many as 15 power production units of the Tarbela hydropower project had shut down.
“The units stand shut and following the development, water discharge from the dam is likely to curtail further,” he said.
The spokesperson added that only two units of the dam were generating some 141MW of power. “The water inflow in the dam is 14,600 cusecs while the outflow is 5,000 cusecs. The water level in the dam is 1,423.65 feet while the dead level is 1,388 feet.”
