Muhammad Saleem

The success of businesses largely depends on access to affordable and reliable energy supply. However, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) has failed to ensure uninterrupted power supply for the businesses – from small shops to large factories. Qamar Islam, a thread maker,  told WealthPK that a consistent electricity could help businesses grow and create more jobs. “You can’t increase production capacity without a smooth and uninterrupted supply of electricity,” he said.

He said his employees are often forced to sit idle due to unannounced power suspensions. “I fail to understand why Fesco continues these power outages.” Islam said it seemed Fesco’s systems were outdated and unable to withstand the pressure of summer, winter, fog, and even thunderstorms. Shafaqat Ali, a power loom factory owner, told WealthPK that time and again, he suffered financial losses due to sudden power outages.

He said  the inconsistent power supply was severely affecting the production process, making it nearly impossible to fulfill weaving orders on time. “When we miss the boat on timely fabric dispatch, how can exporters meet the shipping schedules set by their foreign buyers?” he said. He said that announced or unannounced electric outages are upending the entire chain – from traders and exporters to millers – leaving everyone in an outlandish situation. 

He added that load fluctuations were causing electric devices to malfunction.  Javed Ahmed, an industrialist, said the company needs to improve its performance. He said that during the last government, substantial funds were spent on upgrading the transmission system and related infrastructure. He noted that electricity demand was steadily increasing. He also urged the government to shift towards renewable energy sources to reduce costs, as many consumers are unable to pay hefty bills.

“Our production suffers due to frequent power cuts. We lose orders, and frustrated buyers turn to other countries. Reliable power is a lifeline for industry,” he added. Saeed Ahmed, Fesco spokesperson, told WealthPK that currently, there was zero load management on the company’s feeders. However, he said that Fesco is actively working to ensure an uninterrupted power supply by enhancing grid stability and upgrading transmission infrastructure.

He said that the company has increased coordination with industrial zones to ensure better power stability in their areas. He added that the company is expediting fault detection and repair processes to reduce business downtime. The spokesperson said the company is also upgrading its transmission and distribution infrastructure by replacing outdated transformers, installing automatic voltage regulators, enhancing grid monitoring systems, etc.

“These upgrades aim to stabilise voltage levels, reduce power surges, and protect industrial equipment from fluctuation-related damage.” To support Faisalabad’s industrial backbone, especially the textile sector, he said that Fesco is ensuring uninterrupted power supply with zero load management. “The company’s priority is to ensure uninterrupted electric supply during peak/off-peak hours,” he added.

Credit: INP-WealthPk