No bid submitted for 3 out of 4 tenders for LNG import

Electricity shortfall touches 5,550MW as load-shedding continues

ISLAMABAD:

The country’s ongoing energy crisis may exacerbated as its three out of four tenders for import of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) attracted no bid, while one bid received so far, was expensive at $39.80, sources said on Thursday.

Pakistan uses LNG in the generation of electricity. Currently, the country is struggling to meet the national electricity demand. Power Division sources have said that the electricity shortfall reached 5,550MW as the demand hit nearly 27,000MW.

According to the Petroleum Division sources, the Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) had issued tenders for procurement of four LNG consignments for the month of July – July 3 to 4; July 8 to 9, July 25 to 26 and July 30 to 31 windows.

However, the PPL received only one bid from the Qatar Energy Trading for the July 30-31 window, the source said, adding that the rate was higher at $39.80. They added that now the PLL board would review the bid and take a final decision.

Separately, sources in the Power Division said that electricity shortfall in Pakistan had reached 5,550MW as the country was producing 21,350MW against a demand of 26,900MW, leading to power outages of up to eight hours in different parts of the country.

The sources revealed that 4,755MW of electricity was being generated from hydropower sources while the government thermal plants were generating 1,155MW. They added that the total power generation of private-sector plants was 11,232MW.

They also said that 1,709MW was being generated from wind power plants and 86MW from solar plants, while bagasse-powered plants and nuclear power plants were generating 129MW and 2,284MW, respectively.