With most parts of the country sizzling at up to 45 degree Celsius, the power situation, as expected, worsened on Monday. Electricity shortfall crossed 6,000MW, with urban areas facing 12 and rural areas up to 18 hours of loadshedding.
“Electricity demand went up to 17,000MW on Monday because of the rising temperature in most parts of the country, said an official of the Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco). Most areas of Sindh saw the mercury shooting up to 45 degree Celsius and southern and central Punjab up to 40C.
These are normally maximum national temperatures and demand hits peak. Electricity generation was close to 11,000MW against a demand of 17,000MW. Hydel contribution to the national grid stood at about 4,000MW, independent power producers (IPPs) at 6,100MW and thermal at about 1,400MW.