The federal government apologised to electricity consumers after load management exceeded the 2.25-hour schedule announced a day earlier.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Power Division said that it was “apologising for the additional load management necessitated by reduced hydropower availability”.

A spokesperson for the division urged consumers to conserve electricity during peak hours and adopt energy-saving measures.

The apology came after complaints from different parts of the country over extended loadshedding on Tuesday, despite the earlier announcement.

“The government has decided to suspend the electricity supply for about 2.25 hours daily between 5pm and 1am,” the Power Division said.

“This step is aimed at reducing the use of costly fuels and preventing a sharp rise in tariffs,” it added.

K-Electric and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) were not part of the plan.

The Power Division maintained that while full demand could be met, doing so would increase costs.

“The main challenge at present is during peak hours from 5pm to 1am. During this time, demand increases significantly, mainly due to reduced hydel generation. Relying on expensive fuels to meet this demand could lead to a substantial increase in electricity prices,” it said.

The ministry reported an increase in load management, linking it to a drop in hydropower generation during peak hours.

“Hydropower production dropped by 1,991 megawatts during the night, contributing to a total shortfall of around 4,500MW at peak demand,” the spokesperson said, adding that demand during peak hours was about 18,000MW.

The spokesperson explained that lower hydropower generation was due to reduced water releases from dams.


 
Water discharge is being managed by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) based on provincial demand, which is lower compared to last year. Recent rainfall and the harvesting season have reduced water requirements, leading to lower outflows from reservoirs, the statement said.

The Power Division stated that load management was being carried out during night hours and there was no shortfall during the day.

However, some distribution companies, including the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), announced up to three hours of loadshedding in the morning.

The spokesperson said that the situation was expected to improve as water releases increase and hydropower generation recovers.

“Improved availability of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) is also expected to ease the power supply situation,” the spokesperson said.