IESCO begins load management amid petroleum crisis

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) has started load management in its service areas after a temporary decline in electricity generation linked to the recent international petroleum crisis.

According to an Iesco spokesperson, the increase in petroleum prices and disruption in the supply chain have affected much of the world, and the situation has also led to a reduction in power generation. The spokesperson said that because of this temporary shortfall, load management of equal duration was being carried out in both urban and rural areas across all regions whenever required.

The company said the schedule for load management had been placed on its official website, www.iesco.com.pk, so consumers could check the timing of outages in their respective areas.

"The load management schedule has been uploaded on Iesco’s website www.iesco.com.pk . The Iesco management apologises to the customers for the inconvenience caused due to power outage. It is a temporary phase and we all have to face this difficult time together as a nation. For more information, customers can contact the helpline number 118," it said in a statement.

The spokesperson said the outages were being implemented in urban and rural localities in all regions under the company’s jurisdiction on an as-needed basis. The company described the measure as temporary and linked it directly to the international petroleum crisis cited in its statement.

Iesco also apologised to consumers for the inconvenience caused by the power cuts. In its message to customers, the company said the current situation was a difficult period that had to be faced collectively.

The announcement comes as higher petroleum prices and supply chain disruptions continue to affect energy-related operations. In its statement, Iesco said the impact of these developments had resulted in lower electricity generation, prompting the utility to introduce load management to balance demand and supply.

Consumers seeking further information have been advised by the company to contact its helpline at 118.

IESCO said the load management plan was available online and would apply in areas across its network as and when needed. The company did not indicate in the statement how long the temporary phase would continue, but said the current arrangement had been introduced because of the reduction in generation caused by the petroleum crisis.