ISLAMABAD: Power Distribution Companies (Discos) have formally started unscheduled load-shedding across the country due to constraints in their systems, well-informed sources told Business Recorder. "There is no shortfall in generation as of today as requirements are being met through use of furnace oil due to less availability of gas. The demand of 22,000 MW is being supplied to the Discos," the sources added.
Discos are carrying out load-shedding due to system constraints as their transformers are overloaded, and distribution lines are obsolete. There is no planning in Discos' system. They do not rectify faults in case of tripping due to which the consumers suffer.
Nepra, in its State of Industry Report 2019, said that Discos' practice of conducting load-shedding on so called "high loss" distribution circuits may show short-term gains. However, essentially they will negatively impact on overall sales growth.
Meanwhile, Power Division has directed Discos to exempt those areas which are under smart lockdown.
Power Division, in an official statement, has said that the government in the last couple of years has taken direct and far reaching steps throughout Pakistan to reduce theft and losses. As a consequence even on high loss feeders losses and theft were reduced and hence loss management/load-shedding was also reduced significantly.
Power Division maintains that the transmission system was not capable of transmitting more than 18000MW of electricity, but its capacity has been increased to almost 26000MW. At present an average load of more than 22000MW is being sustained successfully.
"All Discos have been instructed that no load-shedding would be allowed in all areas under Corona related smart lockdowns even if a feeder or feeders in that area are high loss feeders," said a spokesperson of Power Division. This has been done to ensure relief to the public.
According to the spokesperson, all control rooms in each Disco as well as the central control room are closely monitoring and ensuring the immediate redressal of complaints.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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