Excessive use of air conditioners has ruined the planning of Pepco authorities', which is making full effort to supply uninterrupted power to domestic consumers during Sehri and Iftar. The domestic demand of electricity has increased by 3000MW this year, shooting up to over 18000MW in August 2011 against 15000MW during the corresponding period.
Interestingly, the share of air conditioners in total demand is 5000MW and overall power shortfall in the country is less than 5000MW. Pepco authorities were determined to meet domestic demand during Sehri and Iftar. They were also hopeful to accomplish the mission successfully but all in vein as the demand for electricity has shot up to 3000MW.
Director General Pepco Ejaz Rafique Qureshi said it was becoming a herculean task for Pepco to fill the gap between demand and supply. He told Business Recorder that an amount of Rs 100 million has been handed over to four thermal units in and around Lahore for payment to PSO. He expressed the hope that situation would improve in a day or so with resumption of power generation by these units, at least in Lahore city.
President Asif Ali Zardari as well Federal Minister for Power Syed Naveed Qamar took notice of power breakdowns during Sehri and Iftar. The Pepco authorities have conveyed to the Chief Executive of each DISOC that they would be directly responsible for power breakdown from now onwards. It is also learnt that the DISCOs are directed to curtail power supply of textile units to meet domestic demand.
Currently, the electricity generation stands at 14,921 MW against a demand of 18,519 MW, leaving the system with a shortfall of 3598 MW. The KESC is being supplied with 790MW. Meanwhile, major cities were experiencing 6-9 hours of loadshedding and the smaller cities were facing 13 hours of loadshedding.
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