Power Dilemma Continues Even With Surplus Production
As per a World Bank report of 2018, as many as 50 million people don’t get uninterrupted power supply due to glitches in the grid
The power dilemma for Pakistanis continues even when electricity production is in surplus as they are still facing hours-long load-shedding. The unannounced power outages are underway across the country after which National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has summoned a report from the distribution companies.
With searing temperatures, the entire country is suffering from power outages despite that the government claims to have electricity in surplus.
Pakistan’s current power production capacity is 29,000 MW but according to the power division, it faced a shortfall of 1,500 MW as the production stood at 22,600 MW on Wednesday while demand remained 24,100 MW.
Ministry of Energy tweeted that power consumption across the country has increased with the rise in mercury level.
ملک بھر میں شدید گرمی کی وجہ سے بجکی کا استعمال کافی بڑھ گیا ہے جس کی وجہ سے بجلی تقسیم کار سسٹم میں لوکل فالٹس بھی معمول سے بڑھ گئیں ہیں۔ تمام ڈسکوز کو ہدایات جاری کردی گئیں ہیں کہ اضافی عملے کی تعیناتی سمیت ٹرانفارمرز اور دیگر ضروری آلات کی فراہمی کو یقینی بنایا جائے اس ضمن میں
— Ministry of Energy (@MoWP15) June 9, 2021
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This has led to faults and malfunctions in the power distribution system, it added and said all distribution companies (DISCOS) have been directed to take measures to resolve the issue.
Energy Minister Hammad Azhar said that there was a shortfall of 1000 Megawatts (MW) due to rehabilitation in a major hydel plant and outages in a few thermal plants.
Average shortfall of 1000 MW has arisen since last 48 hours due to rehabilitation in a major hydel plant and outages in a few thermal plants.
Tarbela will be back online in 4-6 days (3000 MW) and efforts made to add 1100 MW from alternative plants by tonight to plug shortfall. https://t.co/vNFMOYtlaf
— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) June 9, 2021
The excess electricity has turned out to be a problem for the country, both financially and manageably.
The grid system isn’t sophisticated enough to supply power to the entire population and the occurrence of faults, particularly during the summer season when consumption jacks up, has become a convention.
According to official figures, Pakistan will have 50% more electric power than it will actually require by 2023.
As per the World Bank report of 2018, as many as 50 million people don’t get uninterrupted power supply due to glitches in the grid.
