Islamabad, 23 January 2023 (TDI): On Monday, a major power failure occurred throughout Pakistan, resulting in 220 million people being without electricity.
ابتدائی اطلاعات کے مطابق آج صبح 7:34 پر نیشنل گرڈ کی سسٹم فریکوئنسی کم ہوئ جس سے بجلی کے نظام میں وسیع بریک ڈاؤن ہوا
سسٹم کی بحالی پر کام تیزی سےجاری ہے— Ministry of Energy (@MoWP15) January 23, 2023
According to the ministry, the national grid’s frequency system experienced a failure at 7:34am today, leading to a widespread system breakdown. However, the ministry reassured that maintenance work on the system is being conducted quickly.
وارسک سے گرڈ سٹیشنوں کی بحالی کا آغاز کر دیا گیا ہے اور پچھلے ایک گھنٹے میں اسلام آباد سپلائی کمپنی اور پشاور سپلائی کمپنی کے محدود تعداد میں گرڈ بحال کر دئے گئے ہیں
— Ministry of Energy (@MoWP15) January 23, 2023
In an interview with Geo News, Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir stated that the outage was not a “major” issue.
He explained that as a cost-saving measure, the power generation systems are temporarily shut down at night during the winter when nationwide demand for electricity decreases.
However, when the systems were turned on in the morning, a frequency variation and voltage fluctuation was detected in the southern part of the country, resulting in the shutting down of power-generating units one by one.
He added that efforts to restore grid stations in Peshawar and Islamabad have begun and that full power restoration across the country is expected within the next 12 hours.
KE and Power outage in Karachi
The power supply in Karachi has been impacted by the nationwide power failure, with outages reported in various areas such as Malir, Landhi, Gulistan-i-Johar, Akhter Colony, II Chundrigar Road, New Karachi, Gulshan, Ibrahim Haideri and Korangi. K-Electric, the power company in Karachi, confirmed the situation via tweet and stated that teams were evaluating the situation and working towards restoring electricity.
There are reports of multiple outages from different parts of the city. We are investigating the issue and will keep this space posted.
— Imran Rana, Spokesperson, K-Electric (@imranrana21) January 23, 2023
The spokesperson in tweets mentioned about the latest developments in Karachi about the outage
*کراچی پاور اپڈیٹ 1 – بروز 23 جنوری 2023۔ صبح 9:15 بجے*
اطلاعات کے مطابق آج صبح 7:34 نیشنل گرڈ میں فریکوئینسی کم ہونے کے باعث متعدد شہروں کو بجلی فراہمی متاثر ہوئی۔ ترجمان کےالیکٹرک
اسکا اثر کے الیکٹرک کی ٹیرٹری پر بھی آیا جس سے کراچی کو بجلی فراہمی متاثر ہوئی ہے۔ ترجمان (1/2)
— Imran Rana, Spokesperson, K-Electric (@imranrana21) January 23, 2023
Situation in Balochistan
In Balochistan, three transmission lines tripped, including the 220kV Uch-Sibbi, 220kV Dadu-Khuzdar and 220kV Dera Murad Jamali lines. This caused a widespread power outage in the province, according to Quetta Electric Supply Company spokesperson Muhammad Afzal.
The cities affected by the outage include Quetta, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Chaman, Loralai Zhob, Qilla Saifulllah, Mastung, Sibbi, Ziarat, Kalat, and Khuzdar. The National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) is working to restore power in these areas.
Situation in Islamabad
The power failure also impacted nearly 117 grid stations in Islamabad, according to the spokesperson for the Islamabad Electric Supply Company. The spokesperson stated that maintenance work was being closely monitored from the central control room, and that power was being restored in a phased manner to prevent further damage to the system.
The spokesperson added that repair efforts were currently focused on the 132kV grid stations in Zero Point, Rawal, F-16, F-6, D-12, F-6, I-8, and Chaklala, and that full repair of the system will take some time to complete.
*This is a developing story
