KARACHI, Dec 26: Karachi’s power misery deepened on Friday as the supply in KESC’s generation system crashed to a woeful 300 megawatts. Many areas of the city went virtually without electricity as spells of power supply alternated with interruptions lasting, in some cases, two hours.

The situation is indicative of a tormenting summer as the utility has not been able to meet a demand of 2,400 megawatts per day.

The government must take the flak for the mess because it had encouraged takeover by Abaraj, which is now pressing it to write off all its financial liabilities.

On Friday, the total power supply from Bin Qasim Thermal Power Station could not go beyond 300 MW. Its installed capacity is 1,100 MW.

Power supply became critical after KANUPP, which supplies 80 MW to KESC, was shut down for maintenance. The nuclear power house is expected to be operational in a few days.

According to sources, the KESC was generating only 300 MW and meeting the rest of the demand by importing 600 MW from Wapda, leaving a gap of more than 300 MW.

The KESC’s spokesperson, Ayesha Eirabie, said that around 6am the shortfall was 225MW and the average shortfall for the day was 250 MW.

Most neighbourhoods go through at least eight one-hour stoppages over 24 hours. Residents of Gulistan-e-Jauhar’s Block-17 and adjoining areas went without electricity from 2:30pm to 7:30pm on Friday.

Subscribers complained that KESC staff remained indifferent to their agony.

Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Federal B Area, Garden East, Malir and Liaquatabad have been facing shutdowns after every two hours since Tuesday.

There were complaints from many parts that they were without electricity since 2:30pm but the KESC complaint centre was not responding to frantic calls.

Consumers are getting restive and contemplating some of them said they were considering non-payment of bills if the situation did not improve soon.

The utility’s chief tried to soothe tempers, reassuring subscribers that things would get better once the 220 MW Korangi plant came on line.

LOSSES: The current executing company is suffering from high transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, estimated to be over 40 per cent, according to KESC sources.