Stability of Pak may fall prey to massive electricity deficit
Besides fighting the Taliban, which is threatening its very existence, and a sluggish economy, Pakistan finds itself mired in what appears to be its biggest crisis currently, the huge electricity deficit.
With power outages ranging from over 12 hours a day in most parts of the country, Pakistanis have been forced to return to ancient means of lighting such as candles and gas lamps.
With an excruciating summer, the power crisis has added to the woes of the people as it is severely affecting the business and day-to-day work.
The government has failed completely to soothe the simmering anger prevailing amidst the masses, which could have a determining effect on its future. Rather than finding a solution to the power shortage, it has introduced power-saving measures, which are being strongly opposed by the locals.
According to analysts, the issue could even destabilize the country if the government continues to ignore it.
Observers believe that the issue is a cause of worry for the United States also, as it is trying hard to keep the democratically elected government afloat.
Besides fighting the Taliban, which is threatening its very existence, and a sluggish economy, Pakistan finds itself mired in what appears to be its biggest crisis currently, the huge electricity deficit.
With power outages ranging from over 12 hours a day in most parts of the country, Pakistanis have been forced to return to ancient means of lighting such as candles and gas lamps.
With an excruciating summer, the power crisis has added to the woes of the people as it is severely affecting the business and day-to-day work.
The government has failed completely to soothe the simmering anger prevailing amidst the masses, which could have a determining effect on its future. Rather than finding a solution to the power shortage, it has introduced power-saving measures, which are being strongly opposed by the locals.
According to analysts, the issue could even destabilize the country if the government continues to ignore it.
Observers believe that the issue is a cause of worry for the United States also, as it is trying hard to keep the democratically elected government afloat.
Way Forward: Notwithstanding the systemic issues such as the failure to build new dams and previous Government’s inability to add even a single megawatt of new power to the grid during 9 years of its rule, it seems that the present crisis is a result of bad management and the lack of foresight. The total installed capacity of WAPDA and KESC totals around 19,500 megawatts. Almost two third of this power comes from thermal power plants (fossil fuels), one third is generated by water and about 2% comes from nuclear power plants.
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