Washed away: Power shortages increased after floods

ISLAMABAD:

Floods in 2011 were a major factor behind the electricity and gas shortage, according to an Asian Development Bank report titled ‘2011 Pakistan Floods; Preliminary Damage and Needs Assessment’. The total damage to the energy sector arising out of the floods is estimated at around Rs1.2 billion.

Lower accumulation of water reserves in dams along with high international prices of oil further compounded the pressure on electricity production, said the report. In the gas sector, the report says Pakistan faced severe shortages that exceeded approximately 2 billion cubic feet per day, as production was unable to keep pace with requirements.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2012.