ISLAMABAD: The recent surge in electricity load shedding during the winter months can be attributed to several key factors.
The information made available from ministry, the severe shortage of water in major dams like Tarbela and Mangala significantly reduces power generation capacity. This shortage becomes more acute in January during the dam cleaning season, exacerbating electricity load shedding.
Additionally, the power sector faces challenges related to gas availability, with increased consumption in the house hold sector during the winter intensifying the problem. Gas power plants struggle to reach their full production capacity under these circumstances. Meanwhile, nuclear and wind-powered plants in the southern region remain operational.
However, transporting electricity from these plants to central and northern regions encounters obstacles due to the long transmission system. In extreme cold, fog impacts the transmission system, leading to short circuits between electrical conductors and metal parts of the towers. This phenomenon, coupled with air pollution, results in the transmission lines developing cracks, disrupting power supply to load centers.
The complexity of the situation escalated when the 500 KV Kar power station serving southern and central parts of the country experienced two splits. Timely efforts by engineers averted a complete breakdown, and the power system was saved. Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made, leading to a notable reduction in load shedding. It is crucial to note that the prevailing issues stem from the absence of rain and heavy fog during this winter in the country.
