'Fuel shortages, low hydel generation creating power shortfall': demand-supply gap surges beyond 6,000 megawatts

Scorching heat and persistent electricity power cuts across the country, especially in Punjab, is the root cause of violent street protests. "Low collection by Discos, shortage of fuel and annual maintenance and low hydel generation are key reasons of massive shortfall in power generation," said on official on condition of anonymity.
Taking to Business Recorder, he said that the gap between electricity demand and supply surged beyond 6,000 megawatts because hydel generation was depressed on the back of freezing temperatures in Skardu and thermal power plants were not being provided sufficient fuel because of "intractable circular debt". "During peak hours, the maximum generation hovers around 11,250MW against a demand of 17,250," another official told this correspondent.
Sources claimed that Rousch Power Plant, with a capacity of 395MW, had shut down because of annual maintenance, adding that 200MW of this plant would be available in the system on Monday night. Fuel shortage had also forced the 347MW Pakgen power plant to shut down, and that, too, is expected to be back online on Monday night. This correspondent could not verify if either of these plants had resumed generation.
Hydel generation, which should have been 4,600MW these days, is still 3,088MW as ice has not begun to melt with temperatures still at 20 degrees, the source added. The 234MW Saphire Power Plant, situated near Murdike, is also shut down because of diesel unavailability. Saif Power is also facing the same situation. However, officials claimed that both would soon start generating100 MW each.
One 100MW unit of Halmore Power Plant with a gross capacity of 225 MW was also shut down because of gas disconnection. Orient Power Plant, Nishat Power Plant, Nishat Chunian and Atlas Power Plant are running on 70 per cent capacity due to fuel shortage. Kot Addu Power Plant (Kapco) is generating 950MW against its capacity of 1,200MW because of a decline in the supply of Low-Sulphur Furnace Oil (LSFO).
The National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) is said to be continuously providing 650MW to KESC from its system at the expense of its own consumers. Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco), which is supposed to update its website on the domestic power situation, was silent on Monday. Minister for Water and Power, Naveed Qamar and Secretary Water and Power, Imtiaz Kazi were not available for comments.