Government cites Qatar LNG disruption for nighttime load shedding
At a glance
- Nighttime load shedding is occurring due to a shortfall in power generation.
- The government says contracted LNG from Qatar is unavailable, affecting 5,000 MW of capacity.
- Ministers state they are avoiding expensive spot LNG to prevent a Rs 5-6 per unit price hike for consumers.
Story so far
Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari has apologized to the public for nighttime electricity load shedding. He initially explained that the power cuts were necessary due to a surge in demand during night hours and a general shortage of gas affecting power generation. The minister assured the public that the government is working to provide maximum relief and noted that areas with high electricity theft are experiencing additional load management.
Latest development
The government has attributed nighttime load shedding to the non-availability of contracted LNG from Qatar, which has impacted 5,000 MW of power generation. Ministers said they are avoiding costly spot-market LNG to protect consumers from a major price hike.
Latest updates
In a joint video message on Monday, Federal Minister for Power Awais Leghari and Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik provided further details on the power cuts. They attributed the situation to the non-availability of contracted Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Qatar, which has left power plants with a combined capacity of around 5,000 MW unable to operate.
Leghari explained that the government could purchase LNG from the spot market, but prevailing international prices are too high due to the Iran-US conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that passing this cost on to consumers would increase electricity bills by Rs 5-6 per unit, and the government is trying to save the public from this additional financial burden.
Sources and updates
Govt says apologises to nation for power loadshedding
ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday apologised for load shedding during night hours, attributing the situation to non-availability of contracted LNG from Qatar, which has rendered power plants with a combined capacity of around 5,000 MW unabl
رات کے اوقات میں بجلی کی لوڈشیڈنگ پر عوام سے معذرت خواہ ہیں: اویس لغاری
وفاقی وزیر توانائی اویس لغاری نے رات کے اوقات میں بجلی کی لوڈشیڈنگ پر عوام سے معذرت کرتے ہوئے کہا ہے کہ بجلی کی طلب میں اضافے کے باعث لوڈ مینجمنٹ کرنا پڑی۔
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