Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Energy shortfall in Pakistan has reached 1,500MW as the power ministry on Wednesday confirmed that 22,600 megawatts of electricity is being produced in the country while there is a demand of 24,100MW.
The spokesperson of the Power Division in his statement said that currently, Tarbela and Mangla powerhouses were generating 3,300MW less electricity, which would restore in few days. “The generation will be improved after betterment in water inflows.”
He said the total power demand of the country stood at 24,100 MW against power generation of 22,600MW. The energy shortfall was recorded as 1,500 MW, he said.
The ministry stated that load management is being carried out to ensure the safety of the system and also appealed to the users to use electricity carefully.
Meanwhile in the day, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has taken serious notice of excessive load-shedding faced by the consumers throughout the country. A press release issued Wednesday said that all the Distribution Companies including KE under the relevant provisions of their licenses are obligated to provide uninterrupted and reliable power supply to the consumers.
It said, to explore the actual reasons and to address them, NEPRA has directed the Chief Executive Officers of all DISCOs and KE to appear before the NEPRA on Friday and apprise it regarding actual causes and remedial measures taken by them to eliminate the excessive load shedding.
On the other hand, unannounced electricity load-shedding has continued across the country as the shortfall has reached 4000 megawatts. The urban areas are witnessing the power outages for five to seven hours while eight to ten hours load-shedding has been recorded in rural areas. The locals have demanded the concerned authorities to resolve the issue as their routine works are being affected by this electricity crisis.
