ENERGY CRISIS UNCHANGED AS SHORTFALL REMAINS OVER 7,000MW

Lahore: The energy crisis in the country remains unchanged as the power shortfall sits at over 7,000MW. 

According to the power division sources, the demand in the country for electricity has exceeded 27,200MW while the production capability rests at 21,000MW.

The duration of unannounced load shedding in rural and urban areas remains 12 hours.

“There is a nationwide power production of 21,000MW, resulting in a shortfall of 7200 MW,” they added.

Despite claims by the federal government and the PM’s strict orders to curb load-shedding, severe power cuts are being experienced across the country causing damages to businesses in particular.

Moreover, three major power companies had shut down 16 power plants across the country due to a non-supply of fuel on June 4, 2022.

The Hub Power Company (HUBCO), Lalpir Power Limited and PakGen Power had shut down 16 power plants – including Tarbela and Jamshoro – due to mismanagement in the supply of furnace oil.

LESCO faced a shortfall of 1200 MW after its demand peaked at 5200MW as compared to a power supply of 4000MW. Lahore is facing power outages between six to eight hours due to the energy crisis. 

The federal cabinet would approve the new load-shedding schedule today, scorching heat has overloaded the system, claims NTDC.

K-ELECTRIC SEEKS MASSIVE HIKE IN POWER TARIFF

K-Electric, the sole power utility in Karachi, on Tuesday submitted a request to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) seeking another hike of Rs4.86 in tariff under fuel adjustment charges.

According to the request, the power utility has requested an increase of Rs4.52 for January to March 2022, and rupee 0.36 for April.

The national power regulator will take up the KE’s plea for a hearing on June 12, 2022.

The increase will reflect in the bills of customers for June 2022.

On May 27 NEPRA notified an increase in power tariff for K-Electric by Rs4.83 per unit under fuel adjustment charges for the month of March against demand in the hike of Rs5.27 per unit.