Sindh Chief Syed Murad Ali Shah through letter to the Prime Minister has taken up the issue of sudden reduced natural gas supply to K-Electric by SSGC, as a result gas-based power plants have reduced power generation and causing over 10 hours load-shedding in this sweltering weather.
The chief minister through his letter has sought attention of the Prime Minister towards sudden reduction of natural gas supply to K-Electric in recent days by SSGC. Quoting KE, the CM says that KE is receiving only 90MMCFD gas, which is insufficient to optimally run gas-based power plants that require at least 190MMCFD. "The result is shortfall of further 500MW in addition to existing shortage of 400MW," he deplores and adds "this unfortunate situation is happening when Karachi is in the grip of unusually severe heat wave and KE consequently has resorted to more than 10 hours of load-shedding across the city, including industry and even the exempted areas are experiencing significant load-shedding."
The chief minister informs the prime minister that an identical situation had occurred in May 2017, when absence of GSA, and payment defaults by KE were cited as possible reasons. "KE claims that SSGC is reluctant to sign the GSA in the light of ECC decision ie allocation of 276MMCFD for KE power plants whereas KE is regularly paying the current bills of SSGC," the chief minister says.
Murad Shah says the increased load-shedding in Karachi is very alarming especially due to unusually high temperature of over 40 degree Celsius. "SSGCL's intransigent approach has severely affected residential, commercial and industrial consumers, including Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB)- this may also have serious implications on law and order situation in the city," the chief minister warned.
In his letter he had requested the prime minister direct SSGCL to act in accordance with ECC decision and take holistic view of the situation rather than reducing gas supply to the biggest power utility company. He adds "it directly affects people of Karachi, economy of Sindh and Pakistan."
The chief minister urged the prime minister to direct SSGCL to ensure uninterrupted supply of 276MMCFD natural gas to KE so that people of Karachi may be provided relief from unannounced power outages, physical sufferings and mental agony during upcoming summers.
Murad Ali Shah has also suggested the prime minister to constitute a committee comprising representatives from federal and provincial governments, SSGCL and KE to resolve the payment claims of both the companies.
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