Energy Minister Awais Leghari attributes rise in loadshedding to fuel shortage, reduced hydropower generation
\n ISLAMABAD
\nFederal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Awais Leghari on Thursday said that increased hydropower generation in the coming days would help resolve the issue of excessive loadshedding in the country.
\nAddressing a news conference in Islamabad, the minister attributed the increase in loadshedding to fuel shortages and reduced hydropower generation, saying the issue was temporary.
\nLeghari apologised to the public for the inconvenience caused by hours-long loadshedding, including during peak hours.
\nHe said that a significant drop in hydropower generation has created a shortfall of nearly 1,600 megawatts, while the suspension of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies has further widened the gap by more than 3,000 megawatts.
\nHe added that LNG supply was disrupted following recent tensions in the Gulf region.
\nThe minister noted that electricity demand in April fluctuated between 9,000 and 20,000 megawatts, saying loadshedding intensifies when demand exceeds 16,500 megawatts.
\nEvery 500-megawatt shortfall results in one additional hour of loadshedding, he explained.
\nThe minister said the government was currently generating around 1,400 megawatts of electricity using furnace oil.
\nHe warned of an increase in fuel price adjustment due to the use of the costly fuel for electricity generation.
\nFuel price adjustment may increase by up to Rs1.30 per unit due to the use of furnace oil, he said.
\nThe minister reiterated that the recent decision to enforce up to two-and-a-half hours of loadshedding was aimed at preventing an increase in electricity tariffs.
\nHe added that the industrial sector is also facing outages, although K-Electric and Hyderabad have not been subjected to additional cuts.
\nLeghari expressed optimism that improving global conditions and increased hydropower generation in the country would help ease the crisis.
\nOn Wednesday, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik told Reuters that the federal government was considering buying LNG on the spot market to offset supply disruptions caused by the Iran war but would favour government-to-government deals to avoid having to pay steep premiums.
\nQatar\u2019s force majeure has forced Pakistan to make costly spot purchases or find alternative fuels ahead of summer demand.
\nSpot LNG cargoes have surged to $20 to $30 per mmBtu amid the Middle East conflict, the petroleum minister told Reuters on Wednesday.
\nPurchases would depend on whether prices are acceptable to the power sector, including under existing government-to-government arrangements with Azerbaijan\u2019s SOCAR.
\nPakistan has also been routing some crude supplies via Saudi Arabia\u2019s Red Sea port of Yanbu to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, with Malik saying insurance costs on that route were lower than routes crossing or near Hormuz.
\n\u201cWe have arrangements in place to meet domestic and industrial requirements,\u201d Malik said, adding that gas disruptions have not led to major curbs, with eight of 10 fertiliser plants operating. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Energy Minister Awais Leghari attributes rise in loadshedding to fuel shortage, reduced hydropower generation ISLAMABAD Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Awais Leghari on Thursday said that increased hydropower generation in the coming days would help resolve the issue of excessive loadshedding in the country. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, the minister attributed the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-542165","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n