Tarbela Dam technical fault triggers 'power shortfall'

LAHORE: Electricity supply has been affected following a technical fault in the hydropower generation system at Tarbela Dam, according to sources.

Water entered a tunnel and the powerhouse of Tarbela Dam 5th Extension Hydropower Project (T-5) construction site after a weak section of rock fell during excavation Wateron Monday.

In a statement, the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) confirmed that all workers were safely evacuated following the water inflow incident.

Power generation at Tarbela Dam has dropped to 656 megawatts, with two generating units reportedly remaining out of operation, according to a report.

The disruption has reduced electricity availability, prompting authorities to initiate load management measures.

Sources said the electricity shortfall had increased in Lahore, other parts of Punjab and several regions across the country.

In Lahore, residents are facing up to four hours of unscheduled load-shedding after evening hours, causing inconvenience to consumers.

According to sources, the power shortfall in the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) network has reached 800 megawatts.

The reduction in hydropower generation has widened the gap between electricity demand and supply, further aggravating the power situation.

With electricity generation declining in oil- and gas-based power plants as well as hydropower facilities, the country’s power crisis has intensified.

Meanwhile, electricity distribution companies, including LESCO, have not issued any formal load-shedding schedule.

The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has directed all distribution companies to immediately announce their load-shedding schedules.