RECORDER REPORT
KARACHI: A sudden spurt in electricity loadshedding in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, is said to have been caused by a significant reduction in gas supply to the utility agency.
According to sources, the Sui Southern Gas Company has reduced gas supply to KESC by 50 mmcfd, resulting in a high incidence of power loadshedding across Karachi.
Sources said that SSGC is required to supply 276 mmcfd gas for all KESC power plants excluding BQPS II. For BQPS II, additional 130 mmcfd gas is mandated through various government bodies at the highest level.
The SSGC has been accused of allocating gas to a few industrialists for their own power generation in alleged violation of Gas Allocation Policy 2005. These private companies get upto 300 mmcfd gas for their power generation; these are accused of using low efficiency plants. However, KESC is getting only 130 mmcfd gas during peak summer time.
Over the last 18 months, KESC is said to have paid SSGC Rs 42 billion against gas purchase of Rs 41 billion.
The gas supply to KESC has been reduced to 130 mmcfd. The utility was getting over 220 mmcfd gas last year at this time.
The SSGC could not be reached for comments.
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