During transmission, distribution process: quarter of total power generation disappears: survey

A quarter of the total electricity generation in Pakistan disappears during transmission and distribution process, reveals a government survey conducted recently. The losses have increased to 22.521 million kwh units in 2005-06 and might have surged up till now because the census on electricity covers losses only the said period (2005-06).
These losses 24.3 percent of the total power generation (96,478 million kwh units) have been occurring during generation and distribution. The losses could be reduced by addressing pilferage of electricity and paying proper attention to the maintenance of the system used for distribution and transmission.
The unfolding energy crisis have threatened not only the social life but also affected all economic indicators which could only be improved with provision of power to industrial units as well as agriculture. The water levels in dam, according to the government, have declined substantially resultantly reduced the power generation from hydel sources. In such a situation, it has become imperative to curtail these loses.
The electricity consumed by the auxiliaries was 3,716 million kwh. Further analysis of survey showed that there had been a steady increase in electricity losses generated through hydel, thermal and nuclear plants producing 30,862 kwh, 63,132 kwh, and 2,484 kwh, respectively.
The census reveals that household sector was the largest consumer of electricity, accounting for 43.7 percent, followed by industrial 32 percent, agricultural 11.3 percent, commercial 6.7 percent, public lighting 0.5 percent and bulk supply and others 5.8 percent.
The country has been facing electricity crisis owing to rising power demand, leading to frequent power breakdown that is feared to further aggravate in months ahead. The government has little options except to curtail losses and adopting energy conservation measures. The experts say that the country needs a quantum jump in electricity generation in medium-term scenario.
According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics, the census carries data of the period under review including installed capacity, electricity generation, electricity consumption. All the power establishments both in public and private sectors, independent power producers (IPPs) and captive units have been covered in the census.
In 2005-06, total number of consumers were 17.795 million over 16.718 million last year, showing an increase of 6.4 percent with household, 14.838 million followed by commercial 2.476 million, industrial 0.245 million, agriculture 0.223 million besides other 13,000.