Karachi faces 400MW electricity gap

KARACHI: K Electric, the primary power utility in Karachi, finds itself grappling with a demand-supply gap of 400 megawatts (MW), forcing the company to implement power cuts lasting between six to ten hours per day.

A spokesperson for K Electric said, the current supply to the city stands at 2,700MW out of the total capacity of 3,100MW. Consequently, several areas across Karachi are bearing the brunt of extensive load-shedding, enduring up to 10 hours without electricity daily.

Among the worst affected localities are Balida Town, Orangi, and Sarjani Town, where residents face prolonged power outages lasting between eight to ten hours. Similarly, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Golimar, and Lasbela experience cuts lasting six to eight hours. The situation is no different in Karachi Garden, Saddar, and Soldier Bazaar.

K Electric attributes the existing gap to a combination of factors, including “congestion and heat.” Furthermore, the company’s spokesperson pointed out electricity theft and damage to cables as contributing factors to the current predicament.

The persistent struggle to bridge the demand-supply gap poses a significant challenge for K Electric and necessitates urgent measures to ensure a stable and reliable power supply for the residents of Karachi.