Shortfall hits 3,669MW as IPPs cut 1,200MW

LAHORE - Despite the announcement by the Pepco that loadshedding period has been reduced, un-announced power outages are on the rise and power shortfall crosses the figure of 3,669 megawatts as IPPs cut their power generation while the weather condition was not so severe in city.
Pepco sources said that power demand and supply gap Friday extended further to touch the figure of over 3,669 because demand crossed 15,484 megawatt while supply was still around 11,815 megawatt mainly because IPPs cut their power generation due to non-payment due in June.
It is relevant to mention here that the Pepco press release issued on Friday also quoted nearly the same figure of demand as of 1,5475 megawatt. But interesting to note is that it did not mention as to what was the supply figure rather it just praised the thermal power plants and IPPs’ performance without giving the true data about how much quantity they were producing.
Sources revealed The Nation that there are total 18 IPPs and their total installed capacity is 5,905.81 megawatt while Pepco was getting 5,654.44 megawatt from them. For the last couple of days the IPPs were producing l,000 megawatt less than their production capacity, sources said and added that on Friday the IPPs further cut their power generation by another 200 megawatts. Hence they were now generating 1,200 megwatt less than their production capacity, they pointed out.
Lahorities lamented that Pepco and its power Discos were not honouring their promise, and suspending the electricity in their localities without following any schedule or timetable. Power customers strongly protested the apathy of the all power distribution companies including the Lesco, saying they were braving two to three hours power breakdowns after every one hour.
Residents of several localities expressed their grief, saying that their areas were getting electricity supply for half an hour and in some cases for 10 minutes only after power breakdown of two hours.
Due to severe power outages citizens were facing hardships owing to extension in the duration of loadshedding.