Load-shedding plagues Punjab as shortfall rises

LESCO gap exceeds 1,200MW amid reduced generation

LAHORE:

Pakistan's electricity shortfall has exceeded 4,000 megawatts, leading to prolonged load-shedding across Punjab. Residents in Lahore complain that electricity is shut off for an hour after every hour.

Sources said the shortfall faced by the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) crossed 1,200MW, while the country's overall power shortfall had risen above 4,000MW.

The shortfall remains relatively lower during daytime hours due to solar power generation, with solar sources contributing around 7,000MW to the national grid daily, according to sources.

National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) sources said electricity generation from several power plants declined.

They added that the gas crisis could worsen as an RLNG vessel failed to arrive at the port. Sources said power plants were being operated at reduced capacity to conserve gas and oil, further contributing to the decline in electricity generation.

The Punjab Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a resolution against severe electricity load-shedding across the province, as lawmakers questioned the government's energy policies.

During the session, the parliamentary secretary for energy outlined plans for renewable power generation, including wind and solar projects in southern Punjab.

Responding to questions during the question hour, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Mansoor Azam said the Constitution's Article 157(2) allows provinces to establish their own power-generation projects.

He said there was, however, no provision under the 21st Constitutional Amendment specifically mentioning that the entire province could establish its own power plants.

Azam said the Punjab government was considering a proposal to establish an Energy Regulatory Authority in the province. After approval by the provincial government, the legislation would be initiated and was expected to be completed within a stipulated period of one year, following which the authority's administrative system would become operational.

He said a wind corridor had previously been identified in the Rajanpur and Rojhan areas. The government had identified projects with a combined capacity of 1,000 megawatts for wind power generation in Rajanpur, while solar-wind hybrid projects with a capacity of 800MW had also been identified in the area.

The parliamentary secretary further informed the house that a biogas plant had been established in Gujjarpura Basti, Lahore, whose expansion was completed on March 1, 2026. The plant's capacity had been increased from 6,000 to 12,000, while biogas was being supplied to industry, including a private company and industries in Kot Lakhpat.

He said the biogas facility was also generating revenue of Rs1.7 million.

Regarding energy projects in Faisalabad Division, Azam said the total budget for energy schemes for the 2025-26 financial year stood at Rs2.510 billion.

The question hour also witnessed an exchange between opposition lawmaker Brigadier (retd) Mushtaq Ahmed and Speaker Malik MuhammadAhmad Khan after the lawmaker expressed frustration over delays in receiving answers to his questions.

"If my question is not going to be answered, then there is no point in sitting here," Mushtaq said.