Load shedding ends as LNG supply stabilises power system: govt

 

Islamabad-(Mudassar Iqbal/News Desk)-In a significant development for Pakistan’s power sector, Federal Minister for Energy Owais Ahmed Khan Leghari announced that electricity load management has effectively come to an end following the arrival of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.

Addressing the media, the minister stated that the country had received LNG shipments a day earlier, which immediately improved electricity generation capacity and allowed authorities to eliminate load shedding. He emphasized that the recent power outages were temporary and driven by fuel shortages rather than systemic failures.

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Leghari explained that just two weeks ago, citizens had to endure load shedding lasting up to five hours on April 13 and 14. However, the situation began improving shortly afterward. From April 17 to 19, there was no load management at all, and between April 19 and 29, outages were reduced to a duration of two to two-and-a-half hours daily.

He recalled that during a press conference held about 15 days earlier, the government had clearly outlined its position, stating that the power shortages were not due to inefficiencies, non-functional systems, or a lack of production capacity. Instead, the primary cause was a shortage of gas supply.

The minister pointed out that during the tenure of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan had successfully overcome load shedding. However, the country faced renewed challenges in recent years, largely due to disruptions in fuel supply.

According to Leghari, the recent gas shortage was exacerbated by international factors, particularly tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran. These developments affected the timely delivery of gas supplies, forcing Pakistan to seek alternative and often more expensive energy sources.

He noted that while the government could have opted to generate electricity using diesel or furnace oil to completely eliminate load shedding, such measures would have significantly increased the cost of electricity. This, in turn, would have placed a heavy financial burden on consumers, something the government aimed to avoid.

“We made a conscious decision to balance affordability with availability,” the minister said, adding that protecting consumers from expensive electricity remained a top priority.

Leghari also highlighted improvements in hydropower generation, stating that electricity production from water resources has now reached approximately 6,000 megawatts. This marks a substantial increase compared to earlier levels, which were around 1,000 megawatts. He credited better water management and availability for this progress.

However, he clarified that water releases from dams are managed by Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and depend on provincial requirements, making it a coordinated and dynamic process.

The minister expressed hope that the country’s transmission system would remain stable, stressing the importance of avoiding technical faults or unexpected disruptions that could affect electricity distribution.

He also addressed misconceptions regarding Pakistan’s power generation capacity. Some circles, he said, have incorrectly claimed that the country can produce up to 46,000 megawatts of electricity. In reality, the current generation capacity stands closer to 32,000 megawatts, with fluctuations occurring throughout the year due to varying conditions.

Leghari acknowledged that the government had to temporarily rely on furnace oil and other fuel-based power plants to stabilize the system during the crisis. Despite these measures, he reiterated that every effort was made to minimize the financial impact on consumers.

“Timely decisions helped us manage the situation effectively,” he said, expressing gratitude that the government was able to overcome the challenge.

Looking ahead, the minister voiced optimism that the country would not face similar load shedding issues in the near future. He emphasized that proactive planning, improved fuel supply management, and better coordination among relevant institutions would help ensure a stable electricity supply.

“Our goal is to provide uninterrupted and affordable electricity to the people of Pakistan,” Leghari concluded. “With the steps we have taken, we are confident that citizens will not have to face load shedding again.”

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