load shedding in Pakistan is being determined through a clear calculation, according to Federal Power Minister Awais Leghari, who explained the formula behind the country’s ongoing power outages.
He stated that for every 500 to 600 megawatts of electricity shortfall, the system is forced to impose around one hour of load shedding. Based on this method, Pakistan is currently experiencing nearly 6 to 7 hours of daily load shedding in different areas due to the existing supply gap.
The minister highlighted that the country’s power sector is under severe pressure because electricity demand is significantly higher than available generation. Multiple issues are contributing to this crisis, including fuel shortages, reduced generation capacity, and operational constraints across the national grid.
One of the biggest challenges is the sharp decline in LNG-based electricity production. Power plants with a total capacity of around 6,000 megawatts are currently producing only about 500 megawatts due to disruptions in fuel supply linked to regional conditions. This drastic reduction has removed a major source of electricity from the system, increasing reliance on other expensive or limited alternatives.
Hydropower generation has also fallen compared to previous years, further weakening overall output. Although furnace oil-based plants are being used to reduce the gap, they are not sufficient to fully compensate for the shortfall. As a result, the overall electricity deficit has reached approximately 3,400 megawatts.
Despite efforts to manage the situation, the imbalance between demand and supply continues to force extended periods of load management across the country. Authorities have urged consumers to reduce electricity usage, emphasizing that the current level of load shedding is largely driven by external fuel constraints and reduced generation capacity rather than demand alone.
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