Power load-shedding in the country has reduced to half by the third year of the Sharif-led administration besides zero load-shedding in industry in comparison to the PPP-led coalition government's tenure. Well-informed sources told Business Recorder that in 2012, maximum demand of electricity was 20,000MW against generation of 12,500MW, showing a shortfall of 8900 MW. Load shedding in urban areas was 12 hours whereas in rural areas it was 13 to 18 hours.
Load-shedding for industry connected to mixed feeders was 12 hours and for independent industry 9 hours. However, average demand was recorded at 15,900 MW against generation of 10,000MW projecting a shortfall of 5815MW. In 2013, maximum demand was recorded at 20,500MW against maximum generation of 13,300 MW, showing a shortfall of 8850 MW. Load shedding in urban areas was 13 hours, rural 14 hours, mix industry 12 hours and independent industry 10 hours. According to sources in the Ministry, average demand in 2013 was the same as the year before at 15,900 MW while generation was 10,300 MW indicating a rise in generation of 300 MW during the year giving a shortfall of 5,550 MW. Average load shedding in urban areas was 8 hours, rural 9 hours, mix industry 8 hours and independent industry 6 hours.
In 2014, maximum demand was recorded at 21,100 MW as compared to generation of 14,100 MW, indicating a shortfall of 7,430 MW. The load shedding hours in urban areas were 8 hours and in rural areas 9 hours whereas mix industry suffered 8 hours of load shedding and independent industry 10 hours. The average demand for the year was recorded at 16,165MW against generation of 10,946 MW and shortfall 5219MW. Average load shedding was 6 hours in urban areas and 8 hours in rural areas , mix industry 6 hours and independent industry 6 hours.
In 2015, electricity demand rose to 20270 MW whereas generation from all sources stood at 14,400 MW, showing a shortfall of 6,000 MW. Load shedding in urban areas was 6 hours, rural areas 8 hours, mix industry 6 hours and independent industry 6 hours. Average demand was 16,253 MW, generation 11,226 MW, indicating a shortfall of 5027 MW. Load shedding in urban areas was 6 hours, rural areas 8, mix industry 3 hours and independent industry 1 hour.
According to sources, demand in current year is around 21,000 MW against generation of 15,500MW, showing a shortfall of 5,500 MW. Load shedding in urban areas is 4-6 hours and rural areas 8-10 hours. However, this year industry connected with dedicated feeders is exempted from load shedding whereas load shedding at mix feeders is 4 hours. The sources said, lenders including the IMF and the World Bank have appreciated the government for making continuous efforts to deal with the energy crisis. "We are confident that there will be no electricity shortfall in the country by the end of 2018 as the government is using all its energies to fulfil its commitment with the people," the sources maintained.