Gas suspension deepens power crisis

Right now power consumers are facing a massive power shortfall of about 4,000 megawatt and this crisis would further deepen by another scarcity of 1,200 megawatt after the closure of seven thermal power plants due to disconnection of gas supply following the shutdown of Qadirpur and Sawan gas fields on Oct 12, which produce upto 500 to 600 million cubic gas feet per day.

It is to be noted that Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Ltd (SNGPL) had announced to cut supply to the industrial sector of the Punjab and NWFP from Sunday and issued notices to them in this regard.

On the pretext of smooth supply of gas to the domestic consumers, the company decided to cut the supply to the industries, which also include Independent Power Producers, generating electricity mainly through gas or furnace oil.

It was a strong perception that this winter would give a considerable relief to the public and wriggle the country out of loadshedding and power crisis but the notion proved to be wrong, thanks to SNGPL.

Official sources said maximum hydropower generation capacity in the country was about 6,500 MW and in the winter, contrary to the common perception, it goes down to about 1,850 MW, resulting in the shortfall of 4,600MW.

This scarcity would have to be supplemented by thermal power plants, but the suspension of gas supply to these gas-run plants has further worsened the crisis, they added.

Industrialists, traders and shopkeepers are losing millions of rupees due to this suspension. Power crisis is already hurting the industrial activities now suspension of gas supply further deepened the crisis, said manufacturers and industrialists while talking to The Nation.