ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk)– We have electricity but still there are unannounced power outages. Reason? Obsolete distribution system means the power companies can’t inject more electricity into their networks.
It means, sources say, nine power distribution companies (Discos) out of a total 10 are wasting around 1,400 megawatts of electricity. The only exception is Iesco (Islamabad Electricity Supply Company) which convers six districts of upper Punjab – Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang and Jhelum.
The sources say the 10 Discos are supposed to get over 16,000 megawatts of electricity, but they are buying only 14,500 megawatts.
Currently, the total power demand is over 17,000 megawatts, hence the shortfall reaching over 2,450 megawatts, which can be reduced to around 1,000 if the Discos start buying according to their respective quotas.
And who are worst performers? Qesco (Quetta Electricity Supply Company) and Mepco (Multan Electricity Supply Company) which are also among those with the highest line losses.
The question is what will happen if temperatures rise further and propel the power demand, as there are suggestions that the current heatwave will prolong, with the region expected to experience heatwaves repeatedly this season.
Meanwhile, there is another a consequence – an expensive one in its nature. The inability to inject electricity according to their reserved quotas means that consumers will have pay more in terms of capacity payments without receiving the required power supply.
The latest report the outdated power distribution system comes as the heatwave currently affecting most parts of Pakistan is not only prolonging but also worsening with rising temperatures thanks to the global warming.
According to the Met Office, the central and southern regions are expected to see further increase in temperatures during the next two days as there is no chance of rains during the next week or so.
However, a shallow westerly is currently present over the western and upper parts of Pakistan and will move eastward during the next 24 hours or so.
Under the influence of this system, partly cloudy weather conditions with rain/windstorm/thunderstorm is expected at isolated places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, lower Balochistan, central and southern Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir in next 24 hours. Hailstorm is also expected at isolated places in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pothohar region, Islamabad and Kashmir during the period.
Due to the extreme weather conditions, the Punjab government has reduced the school hours while opening these institutions early. According to a notification, all government and private schools will now open at 7am and close at 11:30am with the exception of Friday for which the timing is fixed at 7am to 10:30am.
