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.
They said that despite the claims about improving the power supply in the city, residential, trade centres and industrial areas continued to remain without electricity and in rural areas the situation was worse where its duration was stretching up to 18 hours.
They asked the authorities that instead of spending millions of rupees on advertisement for energy conservation and against power theft they should take action against power stealers as they clearly know that Discos employees themselves are involved in stealing of electricity.
Citizens said that despite having awareness of the demand of electricity in the country which is increasing approximately at the rate of six per cent per annum, no concrete measures are being taken to curb the demand supply gap.
They said that there is no power scarcity in the country, as several thermal power plants are being kept un-operational owing to non-payment by the government.
They said that the solution of our power crisis lies in building hydel power plants and big dams like Kala Bagh Dam and Bhasha Dam because the electricity produced by hydel power plants was cheaper than thermal power. They said that Kala Bagh Dam have the capacity of generating power which can be generated by 750 small dams adding that Pakistan dont have the sights for constructing these dams.
Meanwhile, according to a press release, the inflow in the reservoir of the three dams Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma Barrage registered a record inflow. PEPCO Thermal Plants are putting in their best and contributing significantly towards the generation capacity. IPPs as usual are maintaining their optimal level of efficiency and the rental power plants are contributing admirably to ease the situation. Last year the shortfall was 4518 MW. The system demand remained steady and was recorded as 15475 MW.
PEPCO has launched a special campaign to crack down on the electricity stealers. Task forces have been raised in the DISCOs under senior officers to combat this malaise.