Need a Generator? Visit [1] www.EmergencyPower.com

IN Karachi, the ongoing power crisis has gone beyond the control of the authorities. There were times when loadshedding would only be carried out in summers, but now it is an all-season phenomenon with no respite in the horizon.

Karachiites have, therefore, resigned to their fate and learnt to live with frequent power outages. Subjected to night vigils and the resulting day debilities under sizzling conditions, a large number of citizens — businessmen and shopkeepers in particular — have found answers in power generators and un-interrupted power supply (UPS) units.

The lack of trust in the KESC has jacked up the sales of power-generating machines. As a result, their prices have also scaled new heights. Traders in major markets of generators and UPS units are busier than the normal due to a rush of consumers.

“My business is flourishing thanks to KESC,” says Altaf, the owner of a generator shop, having electricity-starved customers left, right and centre. While businessmen, in general, are hurling accusations at the KESC for playing havoc with their commercial activities, those dealing in generators and UPS units must be the only ones to be showering the corporation bosses with praise.

“Everything sells — whether made in China, Japan or Korea,” Altaf quips gleefully. Whether fuelled by gas or patrol or diesel they are in more demand than the UPS because of cheaper costs and greater efficiency.

However, a UPS dealer contradicts, saying that a majority of domestic consumers, particularly women, prefer UPS as it starts functioning automatically when the power breaks down. “Against this, a generator has to be started manually and needs regular maintenance. It also creates a lot of noise,” he adds.

A market survey revealed that the sale of both generators and UPS units has more than doubled due to a rising demand, having an obvious upward effect on the prices too. A Chinese petrol generator, meant for domestic use, is currently available for Rs5,000 while it was easily available for Rs3,500 a few months back. Same is the case with UPS units, whose prices range from Rs7,000 to Rs14,000 as against Rs6,000 to Rs12,000 earlier.

Confident of the KESC’s inability to provide relief to its consumers, the dealers of power-generating equipment expect further surge in sales right through the long summer season. Given an ever-persisting shortage of electricity and a crumbling power infrastructure in the city, one has all the reasons to believe in the optimism of dealers about a perky season ahead.

Looking forward to the KESC for improvement in the situation is like expecting the unexpected. So it is better to rush for a generator or UPS before they get even costlier in coming days as the authorities are predicting the present power crisis to haunt the hapless consumers for several years.