Peshawar, Pakistan – Web Desk: Power outages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being implemented to protect consumers from higher electricity bills caused by expensive fuel-based generation, according to a spokesperson for Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO).
The spokesperson said forced load management has become necessary due to a widening gap between electricity demand and supply. Currently, PESCO is facing a demand of around 2,000 megawatts, while supply remains limited to approximately 1,351 megawatts.
Officials attributed the shortfall to rising global oil prices, which have increased the cost of power generation. As a result, authorities are limiting electricity usage during peak hours to avoid relying heavily on costly fuel-based power, which would significantly raise consumer tariffs.
The statement added that, in addition to scheduled outages, consumers are experiencing an extra three to four hours of load shedding due to the ongoing supply deficit.
PESCO assured that efforts are being made to minimize disruptions and that forced load management will be discontinued once the generation shortfall is resolved. Consumers were also advised to report electricity-related complaints through the helpline.
Energy experts note that Pakistan’s power sector continues to face structural challenges, including reliance on imported fuels and demand surges during peak hours, which often lead to periodic load management measures.
