The Minister of State for Petroleum Division, Musadik Malik, has announced that gas shortage is likely to worsen and load shedding to increase in the winter months as no improvement has been made in supply compared to the previous year.
According to the details, the government has been able to procure as much gas quantity as last year for the upcoming winter season and a shortage is imminent.
Furthermore, the government is working on a gas load management plan for the winter season in order to provide more relief to the domestic consumers.
However, the minister said that efforts are being made to ensure maximum gas supply to power generation plans, industry and domestic consumers in the coming winter months.
He added that total gas availability with Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) is 680 mmcfd, while in winter season the demand of the SNGPL domestic consumers is likely to go up to 900mmcfd.
In order to fill in the supply-demand gap, the government is planning to import additional LPG this winter and gas companies have been asked to import 20,000 tons per month additional LPG than last year.
Responding to a query, the minister said a comprehensive plan would be unveiled soon to make the country self-sufficient in energy in next three to four years.
The minister added that the government will reduce the prices of gas and electricity in the country with innovative steps. “The previous government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz promised to end loadshedding and by 2018, it literally installed enough power plants which fulfilled the electricity demand in the country.”
Musadik said that government will try its best to ensure gas supply to all households during winter and it had already floated tenders for the purchase of LNG, however, no one has responded as it was not available in the international market even on $40/MMBtu.
Pakistan had already made several attempts to procure LNG cargoes through spot purchase but failed to grab any supplier for the deliveries and it is a severe gas shortage with increased load shedding is feared in the coming winter season as current gas supply is not enough for to meet the needs of the public.
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