Business

Industries face eight hours of power outages

Gas shortage causes supply disruption.

Express February 03, 2011

KARACHI: Industrial areas of Karachi faced eight hours of power outages on Wednesday as the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) rolled back on its supply to the sector, said a company official.

KESC passed the buck on to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) for the increased power cuts. A day earlier, SSGC had announced a reduction in the supply of gas to KESC after two of its gas fields developed technical faults. An SSGC spokesperson confirmed that they are facing a shortfall of 80 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas.

“Supply of gas to KESC was down to just 40 mmcfd on Wednesday, but improved slightly to 60 mmcfd by noon,” said a KESC official.

While stressing that the power supplier would make all efforts to ensure the supply of electricity during peak working hours, he said extended outages would continue if gas supply to the electricity company does not increase.

Industrial areas have been divided into two groups - Korangi and SITE - and each group will bear at least four hours of outages until the resumption of gas supplies to previous levels.

Meanwhile, an SSGC official said, “the faults have not been fixed yet but will be addressed within the next 48 hours.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2011.

COMMENTS (1)

Engr. Riaz Akbar | 13 years ago | Reply KESC passed the buck on to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) for increased power cuts. Comment:- I differ with KESC on the plea of gas shortage. May I ask this question about optimum generation of other themal units run on oil ? I think that there is dire need of comprehensive planning on part of KESC otherwise these outages will remain out of their control. Have ever been given a thought to explore other modes of generation of electricity? Kindly review your policies if exist.The recent example of Karachi Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (KIBGE) which has generated 800 KW of electricity to meet their R&D requirements, is a good guideline for KESC.

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