Balochistan suffered severe loadshedding in recent days due to increased sabotage activities in last few months. In last two years the QESCO and NTDC had suffered colossal losses due to the destruction of transmission lines in various parts of Balochistan. Sabotage activities occurred between 2008-10 on 220 Kv Towers of NTDC - 106, 132 Kv Towers of NTDC - 131 and 33 Kv Poles - 61.
A total of 298 incidents occurred in total, said Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) spokesman. Expressing the details, the spokesman had said that the capital loss sustained by NTDC is Rs 106 million, whereas the QESCO had suffered Rs 110.03 billion, hence Pepco had to face the capital loss worth Rs 216.03 million.
The major reason for recent loadshedding is the destruction of 220 Kv Double Circuit Uch-Guddu- Sibbi transmission line in last month, which has affected 42 grid stations of Balochistan, hence the QESCO was deprived of 250-300 MW due to which the consumers have to suffer the menace of loadshedding in most of the areas of Balochistan, whereas Pepco was providing supply of 150-200 MW to QESCO Agri Consumers during the month of February, March and April although the crisis was the biggest with shortfall of 5300 in the country.
Pepco spokesman has further said that the subsidised number of tube wells are 15665 in Balochistan and the authorised motor for tube well is 23 horse power (HP). Due to low water level in Balochistan area 40 HP of un-authorised motors are being used in 15665 tube wells, after the survey conducted by QESCO teams it revealed that 3511 illegal tube wells are operating in Balochistan, hence creating the extra shortfall of 100 MW. Tube wells both legal and illegal are causing 100 MW (legal) and 200 MW (illegal). Consequently the shortfall of 300 MWs is being faced by QESCO/Balochistan.
Talking about the riots and blockades in Balochistan, QESCO had to face protests and opposition, the Khuzdar operation sub division was torched on 4 May 2010 and all furniture was burnt. Whereas crowed staged demonstrations before operation sub division office 'WAD' on 5th May.