A market in Rawalpindi is plunged into darkness due to load shedding amid increased demand for electricity following a steady rise in mercury. PHOTO: ONLINE
ISLAMABAD:
The Energy Division said Wednesday that electricity supply remained stable during peak hours last night despite increased demand from the provinces.
In a statement, the spokesperson said improved water releases from the dams enabled the generation of 5,125 megawatts (MW) of electricity during peak hours. Around 400 MW were also successfully transmitted from the southern region to the core grid due to improved grid stability.
The spokesperson noted that distribution companies (DISCOs) managed to maintain relatively better supply even during demand peaks, limiting load management to one or two hours in most areas.
However, economical load management on high-loss feeders will be maintained in accordance with the policy. He clarified that economic load management is separate from peak hour load management.
The statement added that peak load shedding would be removed once adequate supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) were available.
Currently, around 5,500 MW of electricity generation capacity remains idle due to LNG shortage. Meanwhile, Federal Minister of Energy Awais Leghari has taken serious note of the purchasing power of smallholder DISCOs, in violation of the prescribed order of merit.
According to an official statement, the minister directed all DISCOs to immediately align their electricity procurement with the regulations laid down by NEPRA.
