Decrease in demand is only solution, PM told
* Power secretary tells Nawaz severe heatwave has increased electricity demand to 21,000MW g Minister says 93% of urban and 86% of rural areas being supplied uninterrupted electricity

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was informed on Saturday that an unprecedented surge in power demand on the first day of Ramazan necessitated forced load shedding, and that the situation could only be brought under control if the demand decreases.

The prime minister summoned Water and Power Secretary Younus Dagha to the PM House Saturday morning and sought briefing on the load shedding situation in the country. He reprimanded Dagha over unannounced and prolonged power outages in several parts of the country. He expressed displeasure over the preliminary report submitted by the secretary on the load shedding issue and directed him to address citizens’ complaints at the earliest.

Dagha’s report on power outages, which was submitted to the PM on Saturday, said that the ministry provided uninterrupted electricity to about 75 to 80 per cent of the country on the first day of Ramazan. The report said that the areas falling in the domain of Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) faced difficulties and a large number of complaints were received from these areas.

Citing the reason for the power outages, the report said the situation arose due to severe heatwave in the country for the past three days which increased demand of electricity to more than 21,000MW. The secretary assured the prime minister that his ministry was fully aware of people’s difficulties, adding that steps were being taken to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity in Ramazan.

Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif said that the Ministry of Water and Power has controlled forced load-shedding in the country since Friday evening

“The supply of electricity situation has improved and 93% urban and 86% rural areas have been supplied uninterrupted electricity for the Friday Iftar, Taraweeh and Sehri on Saturday,” he said.

“The electricity situation of the entire country is being monitored continuously except for system constraints,” he said, and added, “The federal complaint cell is operating 24/7 for ratification of technical faults and the electricity supply will be ensured as per schedule.”

“The supply of electricity to Karachi is the responsibility of K-Electric. The Ministry of Water and Power is supplying 650MW to Karachi despite that the agreement has expired and no new arrangement has been made so far. This is being done only to alleviate the sufferings of the inhabitants of Karachi,” the minister said.

He said, “Although there are high losses areas where our recovery is very minimal and electricity theft is high, we are still trying to maintain a level of electricity supply considering the month of Ramazan.”

State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali has expressed his regrets over unannounced load shedding on the first day of Ramazan, saying efforts will be made that such a situation does not arise in the future.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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