Balochistan power crisis: 21 districts plunge into darkness

QUETTA:

At least 21 districts of Balochistan plunged into darkness on Sunday, following a technical fault at the Guddu Power Plant.

According to the Quetta Electric Supply Corporation spokesman, more than 1,600 megawatts of electricity is needed in the province. However, only 550 megawatts is being provided currently.

“Load-shedding in the provincial capital lasts for about six to eight hours a day,” the spokesman said. “We are providing four hours of power in district headquarters and three hours in rural areas.”

In Khuzdar, load-shedding lasts up to 20 hours, while adjacent areas like Bahgbana, Ferozabad, Nal and Wadh did not have power for three days. Balochistan receives 6% of electricity supply from the national grid.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2013.