Guddu powerhouse fault aggravates outages

LAHORE/SUKKUR: Power outages have intensified in the country following major fault in Guddu powerhouse.

One of the worst loadsheddings in recent years has started annoying consumers in various parts of the country. In the severe cold weather, when demand has plunged to 14,500MW, and only 7,000MW of electricity is being produced. 

Sunday’s breakdown following shutting down of Guddu PowerHouse has a cascading effect on national grid, tripping several power plants.

Moreover, annual repair work, lack of fuel, and lesser generation from hydropower resulted in massive drop in electricity production. If this low generation situation continues, it is feared that another major breakdown may hit the national grid.

People complained 12 hours of unannounced outages in different parts of the country, making lives of people like a hell. Why there is no communication from Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) about the ongoing hourly forced loadsheading, Junaid Ahmad, a resident of Lahore posed a question. He wondered that there is no update on load management schedule by the power utility.

The helpline of Lesco is completely useless as far as disseminating information about power supply, he said and adding staff deputed at 118 helpline have nothing to share with the dejected consumers. Another customer was of the view that electricity being shut for an hour after every hour in the city., terming it one of the worst loadsheddings of electricity in winter season.

“I cannot comprehend what is going on as far as power supply is concerned,” another annoyed consumers said adding power was shut from 9 am to 2 pm first in his area and then from 5 to 6 pm and now from 9 to 10 pm. “I don’t understand why there is so much loadshedding in winter.

On the other hand, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) announced that following reduction in electricity quota for power utility, an 8-hour load management plan is being implemented on the feeders. As the power supply improves, the load management period will be reduced, it added. “We apologise to our valued customers for the inconvenience,” spokesperson of Iesco said.

Meanwhile, reports said that due to severe fog in Sindh, 422 feeder of Sepco tripped causing major power breakdown in Sukkur, Khairpur, Larkana, Dadu, Shahdadkot, Naushaharoferoz, Jacobabad, Kashmore and other districts. Electricity supply was suspended at 49 grid stations of 132 and 66 KV, which caused tripping of 422 feeders of the Sukkur electric Power Company.

Sepco spokesman said that power supply being restored and in this regard the Sepco team is doing work and hopefully will restore the power supply.