The load-shedding in the parts of Punjab and Interior Sindh continues as the power shortfall exceeded 2800MW owing to smog and some technical faults.
According to details, the load-shedding duration reached 12-hour in big cities while 14-hour in rural areas due to more than sporadic power cuts.
Technical faults and weather are tripping the power plants
The Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) authorities on Friday informed that total production of electricity is 9800MW while demand is more than 12500MW. The shortfall is exacerbated by other technical issues. Earlier, four power plants tripped due to bad weather and smog. Moreover, desalination of canals was another reason behind the extended load-shedding. The officials confirmed that the Nishat Choniyan, Baloki, Guddu and Nishat power plants had tripped causing a shortfall of 250 MW.
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 respected regions. Taking notice, NEPRA said in a statement on Friday that it has taken a serious notice on un-scheduled load shedding being carried out in different parts of the county during the last couple of days. “In this regard, NEPRA has sought detailed report/reasons from NTDC about unscheduled load shedding, which has been started during the last few days, due to which consumers are suffering badly,” NEPRA concluded. According to PEPCO, normal supply of electricity is expected to resume after the faults are fixed.
Published in Daily Times, January 5th 2019