Power shortfall reaches 1,000 MW

QUETTA: The power shortfall in Balochistan reached 1,000 megawatts (MW) on Monday.

According to the Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco), the provincial capital suffered around 20 hours of power cuts, while supply to 16 other districts of the province remained disrupted for the second consecutive day.

The shortfall was caused by attacks on the main power pylons in Mach area, about 90-kilometres southeast of Quetta. Baloch insurgent groups have blown up four transmission lines of 222 and 132 KV, during the past three days.

Talking to journalists, Chief Engineer Qesco, Shafiq Khatak, said that the total requirement in Balochistan is 1,150 MW and recent incidents have caused a shortage of 1,030 MW.

He said 120 MW power is being supplied to Quetta and other townships through alternative power stations.

Khatak said power supply to 42 grid stations of 16 districts has been suspended due to the shortfall. “National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) had started the repair work on damaged power pylons after receiving security clearance in the area,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2011.