More load-shedding in Punjab as four power plants closed down

LAHORE: Punjab will experience extended hours of load-shedding as announced by the Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) on Wednesday.

According to details, at least four of Pepco’s power plants have closed down owing to smog and other technical faults.

The power supplying company confirmed that the power plants at Guddu, Baloki, Nishat and Nishat Choniyan were tripped resulting an immediate shortfall of 250 MW. In order to tackle the situation, the Pepco announced to temporarily extend the load-shedding duration in the province.

Additional 1000 MW has also been taken from Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco), Quetta, to manage the shortfall, the authority said, and expressed hopes to normalize the electricity distribution as soon as the technical issues are fixed.

The shortfall has led to a power outage after every one hour in Lahore and other parts of Punjab.

It is worth mentioning that yesterday, the secretary of Power Division informed the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that seven power projects of 3340 megawatt have been completed under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

The secretary further told the committee that 13 projects of 7240 megawatt under the CPEC were in the execution phase. He said the circular debt in power sector had crossed 755 billion rupees.