Lahore Experiences Unannounced Load-Shedding Due To 5000MW Shortfall

Amidst extreme heat, Lahore and other parts of Pakistan are grappling with unannounced load shedding as the power shortfall exceeded 5,500 megawatts on Saturday. The electricity shortage has worsened due to a massive increase in demand. LESCO and other power companies are struggling to meet this rising demand, leading to frequent power outages across the regions.

With soaring temperatures, Pakistan, home to 240 million people, is facing a deepening energy crisis as electricity demand surpasses available supply. The National Power Control Centre (NPCC) reported a demand of 25,500 megawatts, while total production is only 20,200MW, resulting in a shortfall of over 5,000MW and increased load shedding in urban and rural areas alike.

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Urban areas are experiencing 4-6 hours of power outages, with an additional six hours of maintenance-related load shedding, while rural areas face over eight hours of load shedding. Areas with high losses and theft endure 12 to 16 hours of load shedding.

Islamabad and Rawalpindi also face four to six hours of load shedding for maintenance purposes. Despite efforts to boost power generation, the energy deficit persists. Currently, 6,200MW of electricity is generated from hydropower sources, with significant contributions from various dams and thermal plants.

The energy sector’s circular debt has reached $17.5 billion, posing a significant challenge to its operations and Pakistan’s economy. Urgent reforms are needed to address inefficiencies and reduce the mounting debt to stabilize the power supply and alleviate the financial strain on the country.