Tag: electricity production

  • Power outages intensify as energy shortfall surpasses 6,500 megawatts

    Power outages intensify as energy shortfall surpasses 6,500 megawatts

    Amid scorching heatwave conditions, the prolonged power cuts have aggravated the misery of citizens, exacerbating the energy shortfall, which now exceeds 6,500 megawatts. 

    According to sources from the Power Division, the country’s total electricity production stands at 20,402MW, while the demand has surged to 27,000MW.

    Presently, private sector plants contribute 8,900MW of electricity, and hydropower accounts for 6,200MW.

    Additionally, nuclear power plants generate 3,164MW, government thermal plants produce 956MW, and wind projects contribute 1,245MW, as per the sources.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted pre-monsoon rains accompanied by dust thunderstorms in the central and upper regions of the country.

    It is expected that the heatwave conditions will alleviate starting from June 25.

  • Rural areas in Pakistan are facing up to 10 hours of load shedding due to massive power shortfall

    Rural areas in Pakistan are facing up to 10 hours of load shedding due to massive power shortfall

    Amidst a severe heatwave sweeping across the nation, the persistent electricity crisis shows no signs of relenting, with a power shortfall of 6,000 megawatts being recorded. The demand for electricity stands at 28,500 megawatts, while the actual production amounts to 22,500 megawatts.

    Reports indicate that cities are currently enduring load shedding periods lasting from three to five hours. In rural areas, outages are even more prolonged, stretching from eight to 10 hours, whereas urban regions experience load shedding for approximately two to four hours, according to officials from the power division.

    These officials further emphasise that the duration of load shedding is extended on feeders where there are reports of theft and outstanding recovery of line losses.

    As reported by the power division officials, the electricity production breakdown is as follows: 6,900 megawatts from hydroelectric sources, 10,800 megawatts from private power plants, 1,500 megawatts from thermal sources, and 2,300 megawatts from wind, solar, and nuclear plants.

  • Pakistan’s energy transition gets a boost with $240 million loan from Saudi Fund for Development

    Pakistan’s energy transition gets a boost with $240 million loan from Saudi Fund for Development

    On Friday, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) signed a loan agreement worth $240 million to support Pakistan’s energy transition through the Mohmand Multipurpose Dam Project.

    The project, which is co-financed by the SFD, OPEC, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, is expected to contribute to Pakistan’s energy security, increase sustainable water supply for agriculture and human consumption, and improve resilience to floods.

    The agreement was signed by the SFD CEO, Mr Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, and the Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Dr Kazim Niaz. According to a statement from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the loan aims to promote sustainable development in Pakistan and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The statement further highlighted that the Mohmand Multipurpose Dam Project will be of great assistance to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where almost 80 per cent of the population resides in rural areas. The project will enhance water and food security, improve the standard of living for people, and boost the region’s socioeconomic development by creating employment opportunities and reducing poverty levels.

    The project will also generate 800 MW of electricity production capacity by using renewable energy sources, contributing to Pakistan’s energy security. Additionally, the storage of 1.6 million meter cube of water will support sustainable agricultural practices, enable irrigation of 6,773 hectares of new land, and increase the total cropping area from 1,517 hectares to 9,227 hectares in the province, facilitating agricultural activities.

    During the agreement-signing ceremony, the SFD CEO emphasised the strong developmental ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and highlighted the significance of joint cooperation between development funds.