Even though Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) had paid Rs120 billion to Pakistan State Oil (PSO) more than two weeks ago, the oil company was not able to import oil from the international market on time, which ultimately has resulted in massive power outages throughout the country.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Pepco Director General (DG) Muhammad Khalid said that the oil shipments are about to reach Karachi port, after which the power plants will resume full supply. Khalid said that the process might take a couple of days.
The Pepco shortfall has reached 5,958 MW, as the total demand is 18,160 megawatts (MW) while generation stands at 12,175 MW. Khalid said that Pepco was getting 1,200 metric tons of oil against the demand of 3,100 metric tons of oil daily. The shortage of oil has resulted in a shortfall of 2,380 MW in generation, he said.
Besides this, another shortfall in generation of 880 MW was being caused by the shortage of gas he said. Pepco needs 702 millions cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas but was being supplied with only 244 mmcfd by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines limited (SNGPL).
The DG also said that two units of Kot Addu Power Company Limited along with the Faisalabad power plant, both operative on gas, have been totally shut due to shortage of gas. The Guddu power plant is generating 600 MW against its capacity of 1,200 MW, he said.
In Lahore, the duration of power outages has reached 16 hours. However, the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) says that Lahore is facing just four hours of scheduled power shutdown, and 11 hours outside of Lahore.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2011.
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