Govt exempts K-electric, HESCO from peak load shedding amid nationwide power conservation drive

The federal government has decided not to implement its planned 2.25-hour daily load management in areas served by K-Electric and the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), the spokesperson for the Power Division said on Tuesday.

The exemption comes as the government rolls out a nationwide peak relief strategy, under which electricity supply will be suspended for around 2.25 hours between 5:00 PM and 1:00 AM to manage rising demand during evening peak hours and stabilise the power system.

According to the spokesperson, both distribution companies were excluded from the load management plan due to their relatively lower dependence on furnace oil-based generation and the availability of sufficient low-cost electricity produced in the southern region of the country. The statement noted that the cheaper electricity generated locally is being consumed within these service areas, ensuring that consumers are not subjected to unnecessary power disruptions.

Separately, authorities have intensified broader energy conservation measures aimed at reducing electricity consumption. On April 6, the federal government directed markets and shopping malls across the country to close by 8:00 PM, except in Sindh.

Following the federal directive, the Government of Sindh announced on April 10 that all shops, markets, and shopping malls in Karachi and other divisional headquarters across the province would close by 9:00 PM throughout the week, including Saturdays and Sundays, as part of austerity measures aligned with national energy-saving efforts.