Pesco announces extra outages in service region

Peshawar Electric Supply Company has said consumers across its service region will face an additional two to three hours of outages over the next few days due to a power generation shortfall. The utility said the measure is temporary and linked it to higher fuel prices and shortages.

PESHAWAR: Consumers served by the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) will face additional electricity outages over the next few days because of a shortfall in power generation, according to a statement issued by the utility on Tuesday.

Pesco said that, in addition to the load management already in place, consumers may also experience another two to three hours of power cuts whenever required. The company described the step as forced load management and said it had become necessary because of a major decline in electricity generation.

According to the utility, the situation has mainly arisen due to the global economic crisis, which it said has led to a steep rise in fuel prices as well as shortages. Pesco said fuel is a key input in electricity generation, and the increase in costs along with limited availability has negatively affected the overall electricity supply.

The company said the additional outages would not be limited to feeders already subject to routine load management. Feeders placed in categories 1, 2 and 3, which are generally exempt from loadshedding and usually receive uninterrupted electricity, may also be affected by outages of two to three hours during this period.

Pesco said the extra load management would be temporary. Normal electricity supply would be restored once power generation improves and the balance between demand and supply is re-established across the region.

Temporary measure announced by utility

The announcement means consumers across Pesco’s service area may see longer outages than those already scheduled in the coming days. The utility’s statement indicated that the additional cuts would be imposed as needed, depending on the prevailing power generation situation.

Pesco linked the development to broader pressures on fuel supply and pricing, saying these factors had directly affected electricity production. It maintained that the current arrangement was being introduced to manage the shortfall until generation conditions improve.

The company also sought to reassure consumers that the measure was not permanent. According to the statement, regular supply would resume after electricity generation increases and demand and supply return to balance in the region.