The document proposes an innovative approach to reducing electricity load-shedding in Pakistan by launching a "Stop at the red light" campaign. Electrical engineers would pledge to always stop at traffic lights and educate others on the campaign's goals. This would encourage observance of traffic laws and other rules over time, improving compliance, honesty, and responsibility across society. Following traffic rules could trigger widespread changes that ultimately decrease electricity demand and load-shedding through increased productivity and efficiency.

1.
An innovative approach
to tackling
electricity load‐shedding
… using indigenous resources!
Roland deSouza, F.I.E.E.E.P.
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

2.
Background
Many of us have been electrical engineers for
decades in Pakistan
Over a life‐time of professional
practice, electricity supply has
deteriorated in the country
We are remiss in our public duty to provide
reliable & safe power to fellow citizens
What can we do today to try & rectify this
situation ‐‐‐ using local resources?
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

3.
Survey results
Studies show an inverse
relationship between
electricity load‐shedding &
compliance with traffic rules in countries
Bangladesh, India, Yemen, Nepal, Afghanistan,
Pakistan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe &
Congo have some of the worst load‐shedding
And they also have the greatest contempt for
traffic laws ‐‐‐ they go through the red light!
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

4.
Situation in Pakistan
For 63 years, Pakistanis
have been increasingly
going through red lights!
For 63 years, the electricity
load‐shedding has been
escalating!!
For 63 years, imported equipment, FDI in
power plants, privatization of utilities, etc,
has not been able to address the problem!!!
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

5.
Innovative approach
“Stop at the red light” campaign!!
Trial programme for 10 years
Other conventional measures may be utilized
at the same time (additional power plants,
renewable energy, demand‐side management, etc)
But campaign requires no foreign‐
manufactured equipment, no imported fuels,
no wastage of scarce gas resources
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

6.
Domino effect
Stopping at the traffic red light
could become infectious
Could lead to observance of other traffic
discipline (staying in lanes, no cell‐phone use while
driving, signaling on turning/changing lanes, not
speeding, showing road courtesy, etc)
Others could see the advantages & follow suit
in traffic, leading to a wide‐spread epidemic
It could lead to stopping at ‘other’ red lights
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

7.
Other red lights
Non‐traffic red lights include:
Paying proper income‐taxes & other dues
Not stealing electricity (or gas or water)
Working honestly & diligently
Not giving or accepting bribes
Telling the truth
Abandoning hypocrisy
Keeping our environment clean
Rendering justice to all, especially the poor
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

8.
Trickle‐down phenomenon …
Amazing things could happen:
o Politicians could get interested in
Pakistan instead of only themselves
o Government servants could work
honestly & purposefully
o People could become responsible citizens
o Police & courts could uphold the laws
o Bombings & terrorism could vanish
o Teachers could begin to educate
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

9.
Trickle‐down effect (contd.)
o Literacy levels could begin to rise
o Population increase could get smaller
o Environmental problems could reduce
o Sportsmen’s performance could improve
o Others may begin to trust us
o We could be taken off the ‘to‐be‐body‐
scanned’ list
o The green passport could cease to be an
indictment
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

10.
IEEEP ‘Stop at the red light’ campaign
Leading from the front ‐‐‐ by example
Vast majority of IEEEP members are college
graduates ‐‐‐ a privileged 1% of the world
population
If we do not understand that the solutions to
our country’s problems lie with observance of
the law ‐‐‐ which of the other 99% of citizens
will?
Let us start today …
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

11.
Methodology
Each member signs a pledge to stop at each
and every traffic red light
Stickers are installed on 2 million vehicles in
Karachi
Electrical engineers educate their families,
friends, colleagues, and neighbours about the
campaign and its objectives
Remember ‐‐‐ even if other don’t initially
follow suit, you are doing the correct thing!
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

12.
Vehicle sticker
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers

13.
Vehicle sticker
Institution of Electrical
& Electronics Engineers, Pakistan
Stop at the
red light!
Reduce electricity load‐shedding
Fahim, Nanji & deSouza Multi-Topic Symposium 2010
Consulting Engineers