Citizens face 18-hour load shedding amidst 6,000 MW shortfall

ISLAMABAD: As summer commences, citizens across Pakistan face load shedding anywhere from 16 to 18 hours amidst an electric shortfall of 6,000 megawatts (MW).

The National Power Control Centre (NPCC) reported a surge in electricity demand to 25,500 megawatts, exceeding the total production of 20,200 MW. The resulting electricity shortfall is almsot 6,000 MW leading to a rise in load shedding.

Read more: Electricity consumers brace for possible Rs5 per unit price hike

Load shedding hours across Pakistan

In rural regions, load shedding extended to well over 18 hours, while urban areas experienced anywhere from four to six hours of power outages. Maintenance-related power cuts further burdened urban residents with additional six-hour blackouts. Meanwhile, areas plagued by high losses and theft endure load shedding of up to 12 to 16 hours.

In the coastal city of Karachi with soaring temperatures, power cuts are anywhere from 14 to 15 hours. Angered citizens have been protesting for weeks now, blocking roads and expressing frustration over the lack of essential services, including water!

Similarly, Lahore is grappling with announced and unannounced load shedding of three to five hours, while Multan and Quetta endure load shedding of six to eight hours and ten to twelve hours, respectively.

Residents in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are witnessing four to six hours of load shedding due to ‘maintenance’. While efforts to augment power generation have been made, the energy deficit is still persisting.

Sources of power generation

Currently, 6,200 MW of electricity is generated from hydropower sources, with 2,200 MW from Tarbela Dam alone. Meanwhile, Ghazi-Barotha Hydropower Project generates 1,200 MW, and Mangla Dam provides 950 MW.

The government’s thermal power plants contribute 1,100 MW, while independent power producers (IPPs) contribute 8,250 MW. Nuclear power plants generate 3,540 MW, with wind, solar, and biomass contributing 820 MW, 203 MW, and 145 MW, respectively.

Circular debt

Despite efforts, the energy sector is facing crippling financial woes with the circular debt ballooning to $17.5 billion.

The electricity sector alone has accumulated Rs2,794 billion in debt, a significant increase compared to the previous year.

Read more: Unannounced load shedding increases in Peshawar as temperatures soar

Despite the decrease in the cost of fuel for power generation, the decline in actual power generation is expected to result in higher charges for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 (FY24)