Power shortfall surpasses 5,250MW, resulting in increased loadshedding

The duration of loadshedding in rural and urban areas increased significantly on Monday after the electricity shortfall during peak hours rose to 5,250 megawatts (MW) as people tried to beat the sweltering summer heat.

Total generation had surpassed 19,000MW for the first time on Saturday and the shortfall fallen below 3,500MW. However, generation fell to 17,250MW, of which 16,2750MW was actually supplied to the national grid, according to figures received Monday from informed sources. Meanwhile, demand climbed to 22,000MW — resulting in a shortfall of 5,250MW.

As a result, the duration of loadshedding reached 14 hours in rural and 10-12 hours in urban areas, sources said.

However, officials at the water and power ministry refuted claims of unscheduled loadshedding and dismissed reports of any increase in the duration of loadshedding.

According to sources, the thermal sector generated 3,050MW, hydel generation stood at 5,200MW, while around 9,000MW were supplied by independent power producers.

Pakistan

Tahir Sherani is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn News (TV) with 16 years of experience. His coverage focuses on the national economy, energy, cabinet affairs, the Establishment Division, and the Prime Minister’s Office.

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Adnan Anwar

Jun 05, 2017 04:07pm

How shameful

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Muhammed Ali UK

Jun 05, 2017 04:09pm

I hope the people that are suffering do not forget the promises made by PML-N when the elections come, one brother said 6 months the other 2 years yet here we are over 4 years down the road and its got worse, they cannot even keep their promises about Sehri & Iftar....shame on them.

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Nomi Goraya

Jun 05, 2017 04:12pm

Total generation had surpassed 19,000MW for the first time on Saturday That is the sliver lining on dark clouds at least there is substantial increase in generation

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Akram Riaz

Jun 05, 2017 04:13pm

During election PML-N promised to end load-shedding soon. Like their other promises this was also a blunt lie. Panama leak scandal revealed that Sharif family has more interest to keep their assets abroad than in the country. They are not sincere to the country. SC verdict against Sharif family only disappointed the people of Pakistan.

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UMAR

Jun 05, 2017 04:20pm

The generation should increase gradually and continuously one achieved a milestone as on last Saturday stood at 19000MW. But sudden fall has again aggravated the situation. We must maintain the once attained capacity and take measures to increase it to cope with the ever-increasing demand.

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Nomi Goraya

Jun 05, 2017 04:20pm

@Akram Riaz look man all is not that bad as you are trying to paint heat wave in the country is breaking the all time records and temperatures are soaring above 45C and if under this extreme situation all is getting managed then please try to be optimistic and remember this very thing that there is difference as industry is supplied round the clock electricity. As far as PANAMA issue is concerned it is being investigated and it can not be decided on emotional basis and our likes. Why we can not wait for the verdict to come? Did SC absolved NS and family yet? Why so much negativity

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Sheraz

Jun 05, 2017 04:21pm

@Nomi Goraya The point is when it will surpass the demand. It will always be the first time to reach 19000 then 20000 then 21000 but the demand will keep growing and shortfall will always be there...Why? Because we are supporting Zardaris and Nawazs again and again and they are forever incompetent.

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M.Saeed

Jun 05, 2017 04:26pm

But, people have to save their lives from unprecedented heat by running their cooling systems. Nobody is talking about the real increase in production under unchanged load conditions.

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Nomi Goraya

Jun 05, 2017 04:29pm

@Sheraz Well sir please do not mix the politics with technical details. Two units of Guddu will come online during next month adding more power to grid. NJ, Terbella 4th and 5th extension are reality and will contribute to grid late 2018. K3 and K4 Karachi are two 1000 MW nuclear plants, PORT QASSIM COAL fired power plant, THAR COAL POWER PLANTS all are 1000 MW each and work is in full swing. Shaiwal and Nandipur are working at full capacity already so if generation is concerned that issue is resolved and will improve in near future. Surplus and economical generation goal is just in sight rest you can blame anyone you have right

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Nomi Goraya

Jun 05, 2017 04:33pm

@UMAR The basic problem is fall of generation is that major generation is thermal based so as the temperature goes high the efficiency drops due to increase of sink temperature as thermal gradient is lost so plant becomes less efficient after all 50C is not considered ambient temperate

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Nomi Goraya

Jun 05, 2017 04:37pm

@M.Saeed Sir Pakistan is among the countries with the most non efficient and reckless use of electricity. Each and every house hold appliance from ceiling fans to AC no one is bothered about efficiency. Houses are constructed in copy cat style without taking care of ventilation direction of sun and thermal efficiency. As are the rulers so are the masses as we need just quick fixtures

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Rizwan

Jun 05, 2017 04:55pm

The next thing in line is extreme shortage of water, people will fight for a glass of water. Very unfortunate that we are not even considering big dams that serve as water reservoirs and source of cheapest form of electricity. The leaders have been very unfair to their people for their own vested interests.

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Sameer

Jun 05, 2017 05:08pm

This is a setup. The gov is willingly causing loadshedding because yesterday they were boasting 18000Mw generation. How can one deduce 6000Mw in a day. Investigation in to this would clear if they were lying tomorrow or telling the truth today.

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Sameer

Jun 05, 2017 05:12pm

@Nomi Goraya this is an absolute fabrication of the truth. Nandipur and Sahiwal are not working on full capacities. Sahiwal has recently been put on 120Mw load which it has difficulty sustaining. See nepra report of 1st run test phase. 120Mw will be sustained for another week tha increased...which is unlikely because we already have one tripping.

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Sameer

Jun 05, 2017 05:16pm

@Nomi Goraya its not ambient temp thats at fault. By your logic...airpreheaters have no use. And power stations should have full generation night time. Please call spade a spade.

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Sameer

Jun 05, 2017 05:19pm

@Nomi Goraya which means rulers are incompetent because they have virtually no oversight. Do not blame the public. Recent exorbitant prices were brought down by these Pakistanis. The rulers did nothing.

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Nomi Goraya

Jun 05, 2017 05:31pm

@Sameer Look man I love to call spade a spade and to talk with logic and sense that is something I really admire no matter it is against me but the matter of fact is that efficiency of all thermal plant is highly temperature dependent as this is the very basic principle of thermodynamics. As far as generation at night time is concerned yeas it improves for sure but if you read the news article little carefully it is giving the figures of PEAK TIME so what you think when this PEAK TIME would be? Just to make it easier peak demand always coincides with the highest temperature means worst thermal efficiency. Nandipur is working at full capacity as it is converted to RLNG and is connected to North South RLNG line you can confirm with any source. Just tell me how the generation has reached to new peak if no power plant is added? Matter of the fact is that generation mess is resolved and energy mix is becoming sustainable this is on technical side rest you are free to go with your logic

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Nomi Goraya

Jun 05, 2017 05:34pm

@Sameer Here comes the emotional outburst just tell me what sort of houses we need? Summer is more hot and bitter in Pakistan and just look how much ventilation is our priority how a house can be ventilated with 25 feet by 65 feet plot cut? How many of us try to improve thermal efficiency of our homes? A fan is supposed to be at 80 Watt just try to see on UPS how much a fan consumes? Now I would say we must call a spade a spade. Matter of the fact is that we are reckless with our resources no matter how precious they are

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Nomi Goraya

Jun 05, 2017 05:38pm

@Rizwan You very well pointed to the basic issue the country is facing water shortage but who cares as dams are to do politics it is matter of survival for few political parties we always act when we are left with no choice and we will construct dams when we will have left no water left to drink. Irony is that largest reservoir of Pakistan is Mangla which is on the smallest river Jehlum and mighty Indus carries water and drains to Arabian SEA

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Rizwan

Jun 05, 2017 06:15pm

@Muhammed Ali UK take 4 to 5 year make hydropower in usa

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human

Jun 05, 2017 06:33pm

@Sameer they always lie

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gknatarajan

Jun 05, 2017 06:53pm

the peak consumption in tamilnadu alone of 7crores population is 16400 M.W. in may, peak summer!?

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Reality Check

Jun 05, 2017 07:01pm

@Muhammed Ali UK PTI also promised 300 dams making over 3600 MWs.. Pakistanis must remember that also

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Nomi Goraya

Jun 05, 2017 07:13pm

@gknatarajan Indian scale and needs are different from Pakistan we do not have any city with seven crore population. Power is need and as long as demand and supply remains balanced all is fine so it is the generation and consumption gap which matters. By the way electricity reach of Pakistan is better than India you can google it

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M.Saeed

Jun 05, 2017 08:23pm

@Nomi Goraya: You are right. Remember the much hyped energy saving measures started by the PPP Government when it was directed that all air conditioning systems must not start before 11 AM and should stop immediately after the office hours. But, the orders were not implemented even for a week. Similarly, light saving office hours went the same way. Truncating a day off a week has long been forgotten as a light saving measure and the nation is getting an extra holiday with a colossal wastage of man hours.

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Abbas khan

Jun 05, 2017 09:21pm

@Nomi Goraya are you the spokesperson of PML-N? People are suffering and we still have the arguments to cover the blunders of rulers.

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Nomi Goraya

Jun 05, 2017 09:33pm

@Abbas khan I am myself and I love my independence neither follower nor spokes person I would have loved if you would have brought some technical points against me. People are suffering is not an argument to deny things on technical grounds as sometimes we suffer but are not ready to change ourselves so that we may not suffer and just to mention again above 45C is not normal weather in any part of world. You are free to comment and say what you like but I have the right to answer as well and it is always better to comment about the news and not about the people

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tahir malik

Jun 05, 2017 11:26pm

Why Pakistani govt does not ask UN to manage its power sector?

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MODEVIL

Jun 05, 2017 11:36pm

@Nomi Goraya Please apply for a job with PML_N, you will surely get it. The temperature in some middle eastern countries remain high throughout the year, yet there is no electricity issue.

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Right

Jun 06, 2017 03:54am

The truth is this is nothing to worry about. Soon CPEC will be operational and we will be selling electricity to India at never before prices. So this is only a trouble for a few more years. Or as NS says - till December.

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Jun 06, 2017 04:39am

The numbers are highly unreliable. For population we have need at least 50,000 MW and Govt keeps saying need only half of that and builds fraction of it.

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amir Balouch

Jun 06, 2017 06:03am

If a car can only do 200 km max and the politician promise to run it at 300. Good luck to him and his supporters.

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