Feeble power distribution system fails to absorb 38pc of quota

LAHORE:The feeble power distribution system of Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) has failed to absorb a whopping 38 percent of allocated electricity quota.

Against allocation of 3,900MW of electricity by the National Grid, power utility could hardly sell 3,250mw on Friday morning, leaving a huge gap of 1,550MW which ultimately adds to the ever-increasing capacity charges being paid to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) out of consumers’ pockets.

As a further explanation of the load management profile of Lesco dated July 05, 2024 (09:00 hours), the electricity demand was recorded at 3,700 MW, the allocation at stood at 3,900 MW, and the actual withdrawal faltered to mere 3,250 MW, leaving a massive 1,550mw unused quota.

At this point of time, there were 73 feeders under fault or shut due to permit-to-work (PTW) arrangement. The load management on the back of high losses was to the tune of 140MW. However, there was no load management required due to forced outages inflicted by Regional Control Center (RCC) or for the consumer categories I & II.

In the evening at 6pm, on July 05, 2024, the load profile of Lesco indicated that electricity Demand stood at 4,063MW against the allocation of 4,300MW while power utility in actual could absorb only 3,823MW, leaving an unfulfilled gap of about 500MW.

There were 35 Under Fault / P.T.W Feeders and Load Management of 141MW was being observed at much-touted High Losses feeders. There were however no RCC forced outages due to low frequency, less allocation, overloading of system. Similarly, Lesco did not subject Category-I & II consumers to power outages.

The inability of Lesco in selling available electricity could be even severe if latent electricity demand is to be figured out, said sources. Owing to multiple challenges, the power utility has not been able to take care the potential electricity demand mainly due to technical and administrative constraints.

Meanwhile, a Lesco official was of the view that every possible effort was being made to provide smooth supply of electricity to consumer-end. He added that on Friday morning, only 85 feeders out of over 2,000 were under fault. These include 17 in 1st circle, 11 in 2nd circle, two in 3rd circle, eight in 4th circle, three in 5th circle, 15 in 6th circle, 22 in 7th circle, seven in 8th circle and nill in model circle.