ISLAMABAD: With better management, system improvements and addition of new generation, the power sector is prepared to provide electricity in the coming summer to the domestic, commercial and industrial consumers with a countrywide load management schedule of six hours in urban areas, eight hours in rural areas and zero load-shedding in industrial sector except during peak summer months in which the industrial load management may be introduced, said a press statement issued on Tuesday. In areas where the recoveries are up to the mark and losses are within permissible limit, the load-shedding hours will remain predictable and would be within the above-announced schedule. However, in areas where the losses are greater and recoveries are lower, Ministry of Water and Power has chalked out a special load management plan in this regard. A percentage wise schedule for each and every electricity 11kv feeders has been issued across the country based on recoveries and losses, whereby high loss and theft areas will be subjected to higher than the announced load shedding. This strategy has been devised keeping in view the principle equally in terms of recoveries and losses. The responsible consumers should have lesser number of load shedding hours as compared to the non-payers or those involved in power theft. Ministry of Water and Power has also directed all the distribution companies to prominently display each and every feeder losses and recoveries status at their circle’s offices, sub-division level offices, complaint centres and other prominent places within each and every city for public awareness along with the load shedding hours. It will now become possible for the consumers of a particular feeder to adjust their load shedding hours by paying their bills and assist their distribution companies to act against power theft. Ministry of Water and Power has already introduced new amendments in the anti-power theft law where the arrest without warrant is possible besides other stringent penalties against those involved in power theft. The federal complaint cell numbers 051-9206834, 051-9204430, 051-9103888 is also working 24/7 to address the complaints of consumers and also work against the power theft. The overall situation of electricity availability is improving with each passing month due to untiring efforts made on all fronts including the system improvements, better management, transparency and addition of new power generation. As compared to 60 percent use of power capacity availability in 2013, the expected generation during this summer is estimated as 85 percent of the generation capacity. The load-shedding hours on average has witnessed a 50 percent decline as compared to year 2013 and will continue to such decline after peak summer months. Ministry of Water and Power has also appealed the consumers to adopt energy conservation during their daily routine, which can lead to saving of around 1500MW of electricity. This can substantially reduce the load-shedding hours. The government is also planning to promote energy conservation through media campaigns.