Continuous power supply: FESCO to install new transformers before March 2026
FAISALABAD: FESCO is implementing an ambitious upgradation and augmentation programme with installation of new transformers before the March 2026 to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the hot summer season, said Engr Muhammad Aamir, Chief Executive Officer, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO).
Addressing the business community in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), he said that he was ready to resolve the electricity-related issues and with the resolution of issues of the Koh-e-Noor city, there was no pending major problem.
He said that underground lines are being laid in downtown areas of eight bazaars which would not only enhance safety but also eliminate the chances of power thefts in addition to ensuring a reliable electricity supply system.
He said that the situation has improved phenomenally with the construction of a 500KV new grid station.
He said that its circuits have been completed while two remaining would become functional within the next few days. He said that electricity consumption has decreased after solarization in the country but demand in Faisalabad has increased substantially. He said that no doubt it was an onerous job to add a huge quantity of electricity in the morning and later excluding the same in the evening after sunset.
“However, we have completed our homework and now our focus is on ensuring a reliable electricity supply system in this region,” he added.
He said that earlier the rate of electricity for industry was Rs 46 per unit which has now been trimmed to Rs 40.30 and hopefully it would further reduce with the improvement in the system. About AMI meters, Engr Muhammad Aamir said that it would ensure immediate reading in addition to overcoming the complaints of overbilling.
He further said that these meters would also help solar connection holders to get electricity directly from their solar system when system supply is disrupted due to any reason.
Earlier President FCCI Farooq Yousaf Sheikh welcomed the guests and said that his focus is to bridge the gap between institutions and the business community. He said that electricity is imperative for development but at the same time people are critical of the high cost of electricity which is also affecting our exports.
He said that the electricity price is determined under the slab system through cross subsidies. He demanded that uniform electricity rates may be introduced irrespective of its uses. He said that only 5KV solar systems are allowed to be installed which should be increased up to 15-20KV and a separate slab could be introduced for it.
About cheap electricity for incremental use by industry, he said that most of the units have been closed down while the remaining are operating with only 40 to 50 percent of their installed capacity due to exorbitant electricity tariff. He said that cheap electricity should be provided to these units to restart their operation with full installed capacity.
He also demanded that the government should focus on electricity generation through hydel sources instead of depending on costly thermal generation. In this connection, he mentioned a long pending demand of Chiniot Dam on river Chenab. He also appreciated the overall performance of FESCO and said that it is the only distribution company which has minimum line losses and hundred percent recoveries.
Later Vice President Engr Asim Munir offered vote of thanks while President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh decorated Chief Executive Officer FESCO with FCCI collar pin. He also presented him with a FCCI shield. Former President Rana Sikandar Azam, Muzammil Sultan, Waheed Khaliq Ramay, Nadeem Iqbal, Rana Fayyaz Ahmad, Ayub Aslam Manj, Mian Muhammad Tayyab, Anjum Rasheed, Khawar Nisar and Sohail Butt participated in the question-answer session.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025