LAHORE, March 19: The Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) will cut power supply to urban areas by six hours and rural areas by eight hours across the country because of reduced water releases from Tarbela and Mangla dams, says a press release issued here on Thursday.

The Indus River System Authority (Irsa), in consultation with the provinces, has decided to reduce water discharge from the reservoirs during the remaining days of the current month.

The reduced outflow will cause a reduction in daily hydel power generation by 1,200 to 1,500MW.

The load will be managed by distribution companies in accordance with the situation in their areas.

The demand-supply gap is likely to go up by the increase in consumers’ demand in summer and the maximum daily deficits will be between 1,500MW (day time) and 2,500MW (evening peak hours), necessitating loadshedding throughout the country.

Pepco has planned a load management schedule in consultation with the industry and other stakeholders.

Distribution companies will work out loadshedding schedules in consultation with industries.

The power deficit during the same period last year — March 19 to 31 — hovered between 2,100MW and 3,800MW.

The press release said that because of sustained efforts made to end loadshedding by December this year, the power deficit this time is much less and, therefore, ‘adjustable’ with less difficulties for consumers.

A Pepco spokesperson urged consumers to avoid ‘ostentatious use’ of electricity and adopt all possible conservation measures.
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