Most of the southern and western States, and even the normally surplus States in the north-east, are now going through a major power crisis. Power generation has suffered because of poor hydel storage, thanks to a truant monsoon. Compounding the problem, States that usually come to the help of large consumers in such a predicament have themselves run into difficulties in thermal generation on account of vagaries in coal supply. As a result, States like Maharahstra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala have to contend with a major shortage.

This paper focuses specifically on measures to increase the flexibility of power systems

This paper presents a set of indicators that are used to analyse the energy efficiency of electricity production from fossil fuels on a global level and for a number of key countries and regions. The analysis is based on IEA statistics and includes public electricity plants and public CHP plants.

The Director General (DG), Wapda, Tahir Basharat Cheema has said that government, using coal as fuel, is planning to set up 5000 MW power generation plant within the next few years. He said this while speaking at a ceremony arranged by Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said that the country's survival largely depends on proper use of its coal reserves. '184 billion tonnes of coal reserves were available in Thar area alone', Cheema said. He expressed concern over the fact that Pakistan was generating only 0.1 percent electricity from coal.

The energy saving drive of the government found little favour with traders in the city on Monday, as markets remained open beyond the stipulated time on the first working day of the week. While people have been suffering degenerating power supply with prolonged and nightlong power outages since Sunday night the situation was not so encouraging amid blazing heat in 34 degrees Celsius with 72 per cent humidity. Various residential areas across the city were hit by prolonged and unannounced power outages of up to 10 hours from late Sunday night till Monday evening.

As many as 91 projects in water sector were being implemented while 16 electricity supply schemes were underway in various parts of Balochistan, official sources told APP here on Sunday. These projects aimed at providing clean drinking water and electricity supply facilities to the people in the province, the sources said, adding that the government would construct 54 more small dams in different districts aimed at resolving water scarcity problems in the province.

Pakistan put its clocks forward an hour on Sunday while shops have been ordered to close early as the country struggles with an acute electricity shortage. Setting clocks forward by an hour, to six hours ahead of GMT, should enable the country to take advantage of an extra hour of daylight in the evenings and save power. Shopping centres have also been ordered to close at 9 p.m. (1500 GMT) from Sunday while government offices have been told not to turn on the air conditioning for the first three hours of the working day.

The Annual Energy Outlook 2008 (AEO2008) presents projections and analysis of US energy supply, demand, and prices through 2030. The projections are based on results from the Energy Information Administration's National Energy Modeling System. The AEO2008 includes the reference case, additional cases examining energy markets, and complete documentation.

The Ministry of Environment has recommended comprehensive legislation on energy conservation and management to overcome the energy shortfall and smooth running of industry and other businesses. The ministry, in its recently formulated Energy Conservation Policy by one of department's, National Energy Conservation Centre (Enercon), has also recommended development of conservation codes and standards.

Federal Water and Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that Kalabagh is a controversial dam and the government does not intend to start this project. "At the end of this year, Wapda will overcome the power crisis, since the government has started 2,200 MW power generation projects on the fast track basis and will be accomplished by the year-end," he told a press conference on Monday at the Wapda House.

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