Widespread power outage reported across country

January 23, 2023 (MLN): A widespread power outage was reported across the country on Monday morning, following a decrease in the frequency of the national grid.

According to an official statement from the Ministry of Energy, posted on Twitter, the frequency of the national grid decreased at around 7:34 am, resulting in a breakdown in the system.

??????? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ??? 7:34 ?? ????? ??? ?? ???? ????????? ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???
???? ?? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ??

— Ministry of Energy (@MoWP15) January 23, 2023

The ministry stated that "System maintenance work is progressing rapidly," and that efforts are being made to restore power as soon as possible.

However, media channels reported that large areas of Pakistan, including major cities such as Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, and Lahore, were affected by the power outage.

Despite the widespread nature of the breakdown, Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir sought to play down the incident, stating in an interview with a media channel that "The breakdown was not major."

He did not provide any further details on the cause of the power outage or an estimated time for when power would be fully restored.

"There are reports of multiple outages from different parts of the city. We are investigating the issue and will keep this space posted." K-Electric Spokesperson Imran Rana said.

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

“Major cities of Pakistan are affected due to fault in National Grid”, also It has affected KE's network, affecting Karachi's power supply, the statement read.

He further said, “KE team is actively monitoring the situation and enabling restoration efforts, and it is the company’s first priority to restore power to strategic facilities including hospitals, and airports.

*????? ???? ????? 1 - ???? 23 ????? 2023? ??? 9:15 ???*

??????? ?? ????? ?? ??? 7:34 ????? ??? ??? ?????????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????????

???? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? (1/2)

— Imran Rana, Spokesperson, K-Electric (@imranrana21) January 23, 2023

As per the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO), the two transmission lines from Guddu to Quetta tripped.

In addition, 22 districts in Balochistan including Quetta are without electricity, according to QESCO.

The spokesperson of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company said, "Nearly 117 grid stations were affected due to the breakdown in Islamabad."

Senior Economist Ali Khizer tweeted, "Guddu to Quetta line had some fault which resulted in short-circuiting. Breakers did not work and no isolation of the region.

This resulted in the tripping of K2 & K3 which were running full first, these were out which has resulted in a frequency drop to shut everything, he added.

Guddu to Quetta line had some fault which resulted in short circuiting. Breakers did not work and no isolation of the region.
This resulted in tripping of K2 & K3 which were running full - first these were out -that has resulted in frequency drop to shut everything.#poweroutage

— Ali khizar (@AliKhizar) January 23, 2023

He further said that the recurring nationwide blackouts reveal the fragility of the national grid. The public sector neither has the competence nor the resources to run businesses. Please privatize/deregulate the T&D sector.

Recurring nationwide blackouts reveal the fragility of the national grid. The public sector neither has the competence nor the resources to run businesses. Please privatize/deregulate T&D sector.

— Ali khizar (@AliKhizar) January 23, 2023

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