Major cities across Pakistan, including Lahore, are experiencing up to four hours of unannounced evening load-shedding. Technical faults in the Tarbela and Mangla hydropower systems have disrupted electricity generation, taking two Tarbela generating units offline.
Consequently, electricity availability has declined, widening the power shortfall across Lahore, other parts of Punjab and several regions nationwide. The disruption has also increased pressure on the country’s electricity distribution network.
LESCO Faces 800MW Electricity Shortfall
The electricity shortfall in the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) network has reached 800 megawatts (MW). As a result, residents face evening power cuts lasting up to four hours.
Meanwhile, electricity generation at Tarbela Dam has reportedly fallen to 656 MW. The two non-operational generating units have further reduced the available hydropower supply.
Tarbela Project Suffers Another Setback
The disruption follows an incident at the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project (T-5) construction site on Monday. During excavation work, a weak section of rock collapsed, allowing water to enter a tunnel and the under-construction powerhouse.
The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) confirmed that workers evacuated the affected area safely. However, the incident has raised further concerns about delays and challenges surrounding the major hydropower project.
The project has faced previous setbacks, including a cofferdam collapse that reportedly increased its estimated cost by 285 percent.
Ministry Directs Power Companies to Announce Schedules
The Ministry of Energy’s Power Division has directed all electricity distribution companies to announce their load-shedding schedules immediately. This measure aims to help consumers prepare for planned outages and manage their electricity usage.
However, LESCO and other distribution companies had not issued formal schedules at the time of reporting. Authorities have also provided no timeline for restoring the affected Tarbela generating units.
The latest disruption follows another difficult period for Pakistan’s energy sector. In October, the country’s nationwide electricity shortfall exceeded 4,000 MW, highlighting persistent challenges in meeting consumer demand.
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