'No loadshedding' a reprieve for only three months

Good news of 'no electricity loadshedding' in the country due to increase in hydel generation is perhaps a reprieve only for three months as it will re-emerge in May 2012. The announcement of 'loadshedding-free country' from Tuesday and its implementation came just after five days of the Cabinet's criticism of Minister for Water and Power, Naveed Qamar for not eliminating load shedding despite sovereign guarantee for Term Finance Certificates (TFCs).
"While acknowledging steps taken by the Ministry of Finance for issuance of sovereign guarantee in respect of TFCs amounting to Rs 160 billion for power sector and to eradicate circular debt, the Cabinet directed the Minister for Water and Power to address the issue of load shedding on priority by increasing existing capacity and at least to eliminate unscheduled load shedding to ease public sufferings," reveal official documents available with this scribe.
Informed sources told Business Recorder that during daytime, shortfall was only 500 MW as total generation has been recorded at 9500 MW against the demand of 10,000 MW. However, officials stated that demand and supply was 10,300 MW during the day on Tuesday. The sources said Indus River System Authority (Irsa) released 46,000 cusecs from Tarbela and 28,000 cusecs from Mangla reservoirs on the indents forwarded by the provincial agriculture departments. Releases from Tarbela on Wednesday (today) will be 56,000 cusecs. Water releases from Mangla reservoir on Tuesday was 28,000 cusecs, which will be increased to 30,000 cusecs from Wednesday (today).
Presently, Punjab is getting 55,000 cusecs water daily, followed by Sindh 40,000 cusecs, and Balochistan 4,000 cusecs as all the canals in both provinces are open now. However, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa has not sent any indent so far because of canal closure, which is scheduled to open on February 10. As KP opens its canals, releases from Tarbela will increase from 5,000 to 10,000 cusecs.
According to sources, NTDC is expected to get 4000 MW generation from hydel sources against 2000 MW earlier, which is one of the key reasons of enhancement in generation and eradication of load shedding. The sources further stated that shortage of power will increase to 1,000 MW during night due to surge in demand.
The sources said there is no improvement in power generation from public sector generation companies (Gencos) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) because of circular debt. On Monday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stressed on Pakistani authorities to further restructure public enterprises, eliminate poorly targeted subsidies and phase out commodity procurement operations.