Power Division links peak-hour outages to LNG shortage, low hydropower output

ISLAMABAD: The country faced a significant electricity shortfall during peak hours as up to 5,500 megawatts of power generation remained offline due to unavailability of LNG, while hydropower output also lagged far behind capacity, the Power Division spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that hydropower generation reached 4,950 megawatts during peak hours last night, driven by increased demand from provinces. However, this remains nearly 6,000 megawatts below the total installed hydropower capacity of 11,500 megawatts, primarily due to low water demand from provinces.

Despite constraints, around 400 megawatts of electricity continued to be transmitted from the southern region to the central grid, supported by improved grid stability.

Power distribution companies carried out load management of up to two to two-and-a-half hours during peak hours due to increased demand, the spokesperson added. Economic load management, however, will continue on high-loss feeders in line with policy and is not linked with peak-time load management, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson emphasised that peak-hour load management could be eliminated with improved availability of LNG.

Currently, power plants with a capacity of 5,500 megawatts remain non-operational due to the fuel shortage.

The spokesperson urged consumers to adopt energy-saving practices, particularly during nighttime, to better manage rising demand.

The spokesperson also attributed the ongoing shortfall during night hours to global conditions and reduced water demand, which continues to limit optimal power generation.