Karachi, 30th March 2018: The current gas supply level is insufficient to meet the growing power demand in view of the ongoing summer spell. The gas supply level from SSGC is currently 90mmcfd as opposed to 163mmcfd in summer 2017 and 193 mmcfd in summer 2016 on average. Due to inadequate gas supply, 500 MW gas fired plants are currently not operational creating an additional shortfall in the system.
K-Electric has made every possible effort to sign a GSA with SSGC which is compliant to National Gas Allocation Policy. The power utility has also sent copies of GSA to SSGC on multiple occasions to resolve this matter. Moreover, KE has made all current payments to SSGC during the last 5 years and the principal outstanding stands at PKR 13.7 billion. It is unfortunate that SSGC raises subjudice issues and disputed amounts at a time of crisis when the people are suffering.
Our key priority at the moment is to make all possible efforts to manage load without burdening customers and we are also ensuring all available generation is maximized. We are in contact with SSGC and all relevant authorities making all the efforts for early resolution of the matter and the power situation is expected to resume to normal as soon as gas supply is elevated to last year’s corresponding levels. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and request our customer’s cooperation during this time.