Blackouts in Chitral – By: Aqib
Despite having its own 108-megawatt hydropower plant at Golen, Chitral is constantly facing blackouts nowadays for various reasons. In this encroaching heat, with temperatures rising above 40°C, it becomes incredibly difficult for the people, especially children, to bear. The total electricity demand in Chitral is 12 to 16 megawatts. The hydropower plant comprises three units, each with a capacity of generating 36 megawatts. However, due to the plant not being connected to the national grid, only one unit is operational. This means that the remaining two units, with a combined capacity of 72 megawatts—which could be useful in providing electricity to other areas, especially during Pakistan’s current energy crisis—have been defunct since the winter season.
The lack of proper management and connection to the grid has contributed to the blackouts because whenever energy needs increase, the functional unit trips. When any maintenance work is done, we have to wait for electricity, and when floods cause muddy water, we again have to endure unannounced load shedding.
The reason behind this issue is that Chitral has not been reconnected to the national grid after the winter season, when towers at the Lowari were damaged by heavy snowfall. Neither the provincial government is paying heed to expedite the work of rebuilding the towers, nor is the concerned department taking this matter seriously. As a result, the lives of the people living here have become miserable due to unplanned and intermittent blackouts occurring every other day.
It is requested that the concerned authorities take this issue seriously and expedite the work at lawari to reconnect the Golen power house with national grid, as the rising temperatures have already caused significant discomfort for school-going children, the general public, and everyone else. In this situation, the blackouts have only added insult to injury.
Aqib
Jangbazar Chitral
