|
|
|
May 25, 2006
With a bit of caring
If the 1.9 million consumers switch off just one 100-watt bulb each, every evening, the utility will save 190 megawatts, says Amir Zia 
Why is it that no one is talking about conserving electricity in Karachi? Why has it not been made an issue despite the prolonged and frequent power failures that have started to test our patience even before the sultry summer season has hit its peak? One wonders what is in store for all of us when the sizzling months of June and July and the looming monsoon season come knocking. The vast, teeming majority who do not own power generators will have to rough it out the old-fashioned way with candles, hand fans, and the lamenting over the performance of the electric supply company.
The continued power outages have already triggered some violent protests. The rising temperatures in the coming days, coupled by power breakdowns, is likely to bring more angry people on the streets posing another law and order situation for the authorities. All the great expectations that the company痴 privatisation would do the trick and make it work smoothly have come to naught 末 so far.
Understandably, the new managers who took charge in December 2005, do not have a magic wand to fix the rickety old transmission and distribution network of this sprawling city and increase the power generation capacity within weeks. It will require big funds as well as time to gear the utility to meet the challenge of ensuring uninterrupted electricity to the people, where theft of power and wires both remain rampant.
KESC will need an estimated Rs13 billion to revamp its transmission and distributions lines 末 which will be completed by 2007 末 provided everything goes according to the plan. Right now, the system is even unable to ensure smooth supply of the existing 2,050 megawatts of electricity, let alone handle the badly needed increase.
The utility, which produces around 1,250 megawatts of electricity on its own and buys the rest from Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and private power producers, will need at least three years to install new generators and bring them in line even if it starts work on the project on war footing now.
So what is the solution until KESC mobilises funds to modernise its network and increase the power supply? Load shedding 末 perhaps not 末 as it has proved to be more of a problem than a solution in all these years. It demonstrates our fixation to stopgap measures, which never works.
Is it not possible that until the good times return, in near or distant future, and the dearth of power ends, the focus should remain on electricity conservation 末 in which we all pitch in our share?
According to a KESC official, the utility will save 190 megawatts 末 which is the production of one of its generators at bin Qasim 末 if its 1.9 million consumers ensure that each one of them switches off just one 100 watts bulb. Is that an impossible task?
The affluent class can do the city a favour by showing a little sensitivity to the issue and by prudent use of air-conditioners, which consume 600 megawatts daily. Of course, one cannot ask them to shut them off completely, but they can stop using them during the peak hours 末 let us say 7pm to 11pm. Let us hope that this little sacrifice is possible.
The city government and the cantonment boards can show their consideration and sympathy to students, the sick, the old and children by switching off the lights of the small and huge billboards and neon signs. Certainly, illuminated billboards, most of them installed in violation to the rules and regulations, mock the people who swelter in dark houses for hours because of load shedding.
Is it like asking for the moon if the city government tries to implement the shop act, under which shopkeepers have to close their shutters at sunset.
A little consideration, discipline and sense of community by the residents of this great city can help mitigate the problem of electricity here. The only thing lacking is a drive to create public awareness to mobilise each one of us to contribute a small bit to help fight electricity shortage which is so badly needed by our households, hospitals, factories and businesses.
|
|
|
|
