Loadshedding: a boon for UPS dealers

[LRE]

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Obaid Abrar Khan

Rawalpindi

Electricity loadshedding has made life miserable for the people, but it also boosted the business of those who deal in uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices.

With the loadshedding persisting and no immediate end in sight, the UPS business has soared as a large number of people are seen purchasing UPS devices of different sizes along the DAV College Road to keep their shops lit and to offset any bad impact on the business which is already facing a slump.

Many shops along DAV College Road are stuffed with UPS devices, most of them imported while some are locally made with many involved in making them. Many are busy selling batteries and providing services for the installation of the devices at homes.

A UPS of 750VA with 150-ampere battery can run two fans, two tube lights or five energy savers while UPS of 1KVA with 12-volt single battery can run three fans, three tubelights or six energy savers. UPS of 1.2 KVA with 12-volt battery can run four fans, 1.5 KVA with 24 volt (two batteries) can run five fans, and four tubelights or ten energy savers. UPS of 2 KVA with 200 ampere and two batteries can run six fans, ten tube lights, one computer and a television set. UPS of 3 KVA with 200 ampere and two batteries can run six computers, one tube light and one fan.

The price of local UPS starts from Rs15,000 to Rs30,000 as per their voltage. People are buying these UPSs according to their needs. Many China-made UPS devices are also available in the market.

Many shopkeepers are taking advantage of the situation offering UPSs on instalments and getting 30 to 40 per cent extra money. This option is good for those who can’t afford to buy these expensive devices.

Muhammad Latif, a shopkeeper, while talking to ‘The News’ said that sale of UPS devices increased after the electricity loadshedding.

He said as compared to the last year, the prices of these UPS devices are almost double now because of inflation rate and its demand has also increased because of electricity crisis. “I extend my thanks to Wapda for resorting to loadshedding because it increased our business,” he said rather gleefully but unabashedly.

Javed Saleem, a customer, said that because of loadshedding I am facing business loss, as I am running a Public Call Office (PCO) and its totally depended on power. “I have decided to buy a UPS to run my computers so that I could run my business,” he said.

“Prices of UPSs are very high and it’s very difficult for poor to buy these power alternatives,” he said and added that government should address electricity problem on priority basis.

Uzma Hafeez, a housewife, said that UPS is a blessing for us, as the power remains suspended in our area for many hours. Only because of these alternatives, children, patients and old person could sleep at night. Otherwise spending an hour in this hot, sultry and oppressive weather is very difficult even for a healthy man.

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