The government has introduced a nationwide electricity load management plan, opting for daily power outages of over two hours instead of significantly increasing electricity prices.
According to the Power Division, the strategy involves controlled electricity shutdowns of around 2.25 hours during evening peak hours to reduce reliance on costly imported fuels and manage rising demand.
Key Measures Announced
- Daily load management during peak hours (5:00 pm – 1:00 am)
- Feeder-wise outage schedules to be shared publicly
- Reduced dependence on expensive fuel-based power generation
Officials said the move is aimed at protecting consumers from steep tariff hikes, as increasing fuel costs continue to pressure the energy sector.
Relief vs Potential Price Hike
The ministry revealed that consumers have already received Rs. 46 billion in cumulative relief between July 2025 and February 2026. During this period, the average electricity price decreased by 71 paisas per unit, despite global fuel price increases.
Without the new load management strategy:
- Electricity prices could have risen by Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 per unit
With the current plan:
- Increase is expected to be limited to around Rs. 1.5 per unit
- An additional hike of nearly Rs. 3 per unit is being avoided
The government highlighted that evening peak hours remain the biggest challenge, when electricity demand surges and hydropower generation drops significantly.
Authorities said the decision to implement controlled outages is a temporary but necessary measure to:
- Maintain supply stability
- Avoid sharp tariff increases
- Manage energy costs efficiently
The Power Division emphasized that ongoing reforms such as better planning, improved transmission systems, and strict merit order enforcement have already helped reduce costs and operational losses.
Officials maintained that the policy reflects a balance between consumer affordability and energy sector sustainability, adding that efforts will continue to shield the public from global energy shocks while ensuring uninterrupted supply where possible.
