The Power Division describes the current measure as a Peak Hours Relief Strategy, not as general load shedding. Its official statement says the system can meet demand but that the 5:00 pm–1:00 am peak becomes more expensive when hydel generation is lower and costly fuels must be used.
The source for the figures in this article is the Power Division’s official Peak Hours Relief Strategy statement. Feeder-level operation can change, so this page is an explanation of the policy statement—not a substitute for a DISCO schedule.
What the Government Announced
The Power Division said electricity supply may be suspended for about 2.25 hours daily during the 5:00 pm–1:00 am peak window. It gave the stated objective as limiting use of costly fuel during that period.
The same statement said that 80 MMCFD of local gas had been provided to power plants, which it said avoided about 80 paisa per unit of increase and reduced the need for additional load management. It said the 2.25-hour measure was intended to avoid an increase of around Rs3 per unit; even with restricted furnace-oil use, it said there could still be an increase of around Rs1.5 per unit. These are policy estimates, not a guaranteed FPA amount for an individual bill.
Areas the Power Division Says Are Not Covered
In a separate official clarification, the Power Division said no load management was being carried out under this 2.25-hour plan for HESCO and K-Electric. It attributes that to lower-cost generation and alternative supply available in the southern region.
This does not mean that a consumer in those areas can never experience an outage. Local faults, maintenance, safety work and other network problems are different matters.
Finding the Schedule That Applies to You
The Power Division directed DISCOs to share feeder-wise outage schedules and stated that unscheduled outages should not be allowed under this plan. For the exact timing, use your own DISCO’s official channels and identify your feeder or area; do not rely on a national article or a social-media screenshot.
- LESCO official website
- MEPCO official website
- IESCO official website
- FESCO official website
- GEPCO official website
- PESCO official website
If the published schedule does not match what is happening locally, keep the time, feeder/area and any notice you received, then file a complaint with the DISCO. The NEPRA Consumer Service Manual is the governing consumer-service framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this officially called load shedding?
The Power Division spokesperson explicitly describes it as a Peak Hours Relief Strategy and says it is not general load shedding. The practical effect is limited supply suspension during specified peak hours, so consumers should check the feeder schedule issued by their DISCO.
Is every consumer affected for 2.25 hours?
No household-level promise can be made from the national statement. It describes an overall plan. The applicable timing depends on the feeder schedule, and HESCO and K-Electric were specifically identified as outside this plan.
Will my bill rise by Rs1.5 per unit?
Not necessarily. The Rs1.5 figure is the Power Division’s policy estimate for the effect of restricted furnace-oil use, not a tariff notification or an individual-bill calculation. Monthly FPA is determined separately.