After much sweat and tears, K-Electric says Bin Qasim power plant unit working again

Power supplier claims no unannounced power outages in Karachi now

After putting up with long hours of power outages in the sweltering summer heat, the citizens of Karachi can wipe the sweat off their brows as the K-Electric (KE) announced on Friday that electricity supply from a tripped unit at the Bin Qasim power plant had been restored.

"All efforts were made to provide maximum relief to customers in terms of brief and rotational load management spells during the last few days," the power supplier said in a statement.

"We are grateful to our valued customers for their cooperation and deeply regret the inconvenience caused," it added.

The KE said with the tripped unit fixed, electricity to Karachi was being supplied as per routine.



"Currently, the routine schedule is being followed and there is no unannounced loadshedding in the city," it maintained.

The affected unit of Bin Qasim Power Station - 1 is now online. pic.twitter.com/aZAZvHngwH

— KE (@KElectricPk) May 12, 2017

The power utility went on to add that all strategic installations including the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board pumping stations, the airport and key hospitals had remained unaffected during its load-management spells.

The residents of the city have been enduring long spells of unannounced power outages for the last few days.

The power supplier blamed a shortfall of 250 megawatts and low supply of gas to its power units for the situation.

Even the areas of the metropolis exempt from power outages suffered a six-hour breakdown every day.



A large number of people even took to the streets against the KE as the power cuts, compounded by the blistering heat and the consequent water crisis, made them lose their patience.

Last month, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had directed the initiation of a probe into the conduct of power distribution companies that were alleged to have provided unauthenticated figures of improvement in line losses and recovery of electricity bills.

Here are some of the reactions of the KE customers:

https://twitter.com/iUsmanKhan/status/862350466960830465

No Power. Loadshedding even in nights. Reham Karo K Electric.

— Khalid Hassan (@SindhiMarrhun) May 9, 2017

@KElectric Loadshedding is 'power' terrorism which can't be tolerated by the consumers. This is an offence of basic human rights violations.

— Pakistan Zindabad 🇵🇰 (@securepakistan) May 8, 2017

Today 8 hours loadshedding in scheme -33. Worst summer. Down with k electric

— rationalist (@Textilepeople) May 8, 2017

@KElectricPk loadshedding time in my area 8am-11am,2pm-6pm, 8pm-11pm, 1am-2:30am. Landhi no.6 area 4-c. Thnku kElectric 🖒

— ANAS ISLAM (@ANASISLAM00) May 10, 2017

Instead of asking if anyone is getting electric supply, Maryam Safdar's asking if anyone is facing loadshedding.

The irony is unmistakable.

— AlfaPedia (@AlfaPedia) May 5, 2017

However, the KE's response to almost all aggrieved customers was:

Due to low gas pressure, load management is being carried out in the city to manage the power shortfall.

— KE (@KElectricPk) May 10, 2017

Current power interruption is load management being carried out to manage the shortfall caused by low gas pressure.

— KE (@KElectricPk) May 10, 2017