Bad News for Electricity consumers
According to the Power Division, load shedding will now occur between 5:00 PM and 1:00 AM, with an average daily outage of around two and a quarter hours. The move comes in response to rising electricity demand during peak hours and increasing global fuel prices.
Officials stated that from July to February, consumers were provided relief amounting to Rs. 46 billion. Additionally, through improved strategies, electricity prices were reduced by 71 paisas per unit despite high fuel costs in the international market.
However, the spokesperson warned that if load management measures were not implemented, electricity prices could have surged by up to Rs. 3 per unit. Efforts directed under the guidance of Prime Minister of Pakistan ensured local gas supply, preventing an additional increase of 80 paisas per unit.
Despite limiting the use of expensive furnace oil, authorities indicated that consumers should still prepare for a possible increase of Rs. 1.5 per unit in electricity prices.
The Power Division further cautioned that without timely administrative actions and improvements in the transmission system, tariffs could have risen by as much as Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 per unit.