Sunday, December 14, 2008
ISLAMABAD: The ongoing power deficit of 1,500MW is to swell to over 3,000MW in next month wing to which, the authorities concerned have decided to extend zero power supply to all steel melting units for 8 hours with immediate effect from January 1, 2009, a senior official told The News. The power deficit of 3,000MW that is to hit country next month has also promoted authorities to increase the load-shedding duration to 6 to 8 hours across the country from existing 4 to 6 hours power outages.
Yes, we have decided to pull the plug on the power supply to 80 to 100 steel melting units with consultation across the country in the wake of massive power shortage. We will make the zero power supply for one shift working spanning 8 hours duration from January 1, 2009. This decision will help save 250MW of electricity, Tahir Basharat Cheema spokesman of Pakistan Electric Power Company confirmed to The News saying that PEPCO is left with no option but to take this decision because of the canal closure period that is to start from December 26 and end by January 31.
To a question, Cheema said The PEPCO is also in consultation process with All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) with regard to power outages duration for Mills to cope with the power crisis. Through conservation, this time PEPCO will be able to save about 1,000MW from January 1 to ease out electricity situation.
In addition, all the thermal units of 1,000MW which are right now on an annual maintenance would come on stream by December 25 except one unit of Jamshoro power house of 200MW as it will be operational in the month of January.
Cheema said Chashma Nuclear Power Plant of 300MW which is non-operational for the last months because of fuel replenishment as change of fuel rods take five to six months, will also come on stream on January 17. During the period from December 26, 2008 to January 31, 2009 the existing hydro generation of 2,500MW will come down to its lowest ebb in the wake of the complete closure of canals by all federating units for annual de-silting.
During the period, there will be no water demand from province to cater to irrigational requirements and almost negligible water releases from Terbela and zero releases from Mangla will reduce the hydro generation up to 500MW. Because of the massive reduction in water releases, the hydro generation has tumbled to 2,000MW from 6,500 MW in August-September this year.
Another reason of the current power deficit which why the country is experiencing the load-shedding is nominal supply of gas to power houses which is around 8.5 million cubic feet gas per day. The three rental power houses which only run on gas is producing zero electricity because of non-availability of gas.
Cheema said Pikhi and Sheikhupura rental power houses of 285MW and GTPS Faisalabad of 210MW have become non-functional as not alternate fuel other than gas can be used in the said rental power houses.
This has deprived the country of 495MW of electricity. This has actually worsened the ongoing power deficit. However, the country would have 81MW of Malakand-3 and 165MW of Attock Power and KESC and PEPCO system in the currant month. Besides this, 350MW of AES Pak Gen which is at annual maintenance would come on stream by December 13, 180MW of Muzafarabad to start generating electricity by December 15, 200MW of Jamshoro power house by December 25 and two units of Guddu power houses of 150MW would also be operational in the current month after annual maintenance.
This would help PEPCO minimize the impact of canal closures on power deficit to some extent, he said.