ISLAMABAD: A senior official has warned that electricity loadshedding will increase as the “very severe cyclone system” Biparjoy approaches Sindh’s coastal zone.
The spokesman said squally winds from the cyclone prevented LNG Terminal-1 from berthing the 100mmcfd cargo on Monday.
“If the situation continues, gas availability for the power sector will go down enough to declare a gas supply emergency,” the senior official warned.
This will cause more power outages in a country already short 6000MW.
The LNG cargo berthing failure at Terminal-1 reduced power sector gas supplies to 600mmcfd from 690mmcfd. The LNG shipment may not arrive if it is not berthed today (Tuesday) and cyclone winds continue.
If the cyclone does not reach the Indian coast by June 14, LNG Terminal-2 may not receive another cargo.
Depending on how long the cyclone lasts, imported gas may reach 100mmcfd.
5000mmcfd is not enough for two days of national usage
SNGPL supplies 450mmcfd system gas to the home sector. Gas is only supplied to households while cooking. No gas after 10pm.
When asked, an SSGC representative stated imported gas intake is already insufficient and will not affect consumers.
The 75-150mmcfd imported input will affect some Karachi powerhouses.
“Depending on demand, domestic gas supply is 550mmcfd to 750mmcfd. “SNGPL will suffer,” he said.
Due to the dollar constraint, the government has chosen to cut furnace oil imports and rely on RLNG, coal, hydro, and nuclear power plants.
Water discharges from Tarbela and Mangla’s main dams affect hydrogenation, which depends on irrigation demand.
The official stated that 1,410MW was not entering the system due to Tarbela Dam construction for the fourth and fifth extension power projects.
The system lacks 969MW due to the non-operational Neelum-Jehlum Hydropower Project.
Due to construction challenges and province-demanded water release, other Tarbela Dam power plants provide little electricity.
Line and recovery losses are very considerable. Generation increases losses. Hydropower was underutilized due to limitations, the spokesman stated.
Powerhouses are operating at 13% to 64% capacity due to Rs2.5 trillion circular debt.
“The government alone owes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor power project $1 billion,” the official claimed.
