Pakistan announces daily peak-hour power cuts of about 2.25 hours
The Facts
- The government announced daily electricity load shedding of about 2.25 hours during peak hours.
- The planned outages are to take place between 5:00pm and 1:00am.
- The government said the measure is intended to reduce the use of expensive fuel and prevent a sharp rise in electricity tariffs.
- The Power Division said Pakistan's electricity generation system remains stable or capable of meeting overall demand, but peak-hour demand is the main challenge.
- The Power Division said consumers received Rs46 billion in relief between July and February, while average electricity prices fell by 71 paisa per unit despite rising fuel costs.
- Some reports said K-Electric and HESCO would be excluded from the federal government's daily load-shedding plan.
- Distribution companies were instructed to inform consumers of outage timings in advance or share feeder-wise schedules.
Context
Why is the government imposing these power cuts?
The Power Division said the outages are meant to curb peak-hour demand so the system relies less on expensive fuel, which it says would otherwise push electricity tariffs higher Dawn,Express Tribune,Profit by Pakistan ….
When will the outages happen?
The announced load management is scheduled during peak evening hours, from 5:00pm to 1:00am, with about 2.25 hours of supply suspension each day within that window Dawn,Express Tribune,english.news.cn.
Will all areas be affected equally?
Not necessarily. Reports in The Express Tribune said K-Electric and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company would be excluded from the plan, and the Power Division said distribution companies should provide feeder-wise schedules so consumers know local outage timings Express Tribune,Express Tribune.
The receipts — all 23 sources
Independent coverage (23)
Facts first. Then every angle.
The day’s biggest stories in one short brief — the facts everyone agrees on, then the competing values behind the headlines. Free in your inbox.