KARACHI: A fresh wave of power outages has hit consumers across Pakistan, with power sector analysts warning the situation could deteriorate further in the coming weeks.
The Power Division estimated national electricity demand at 18,000MW, with a shortfall of around 4,500MW a day earlier.Analysts linked the shortages to disruptions in liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Zian Babar Ali, a power sector analyst, told The News that the outages stem from two key factors. He said the conflict had led to the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, halting LNG shipments from Qatar to Pakistan. This LNG fuels power plants that collectively generate between 4,000MW and 5,000MW of electricity.
“With the disruption in LNG supply, this portion of electricity is no longer being added to the national grid,” he said.Ali noted that while electricity could be generated using diesel as an alternative fuel, the government is avoiding this option due to its high cost, in an effort to prevent further increases in tariffs.
He added that hydropower generation also declines during this period, reducing output from water sources and contributing to the widening shortfall.“As a result, loadshedding is taking place across the country,” he said.
Ali warned that outages are likely to persist in the coming days, as LNG supplies are not expected to resume in May even if the conflict ends immediately.He cautioned that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the energy crisis could intensify during the peak summer months.
Electricity demand typically stands at around 18,000MW at this time of year, but the government’s reluctance to generate costly power has limited its ability to meet demand, he added.Farhan Mahmood, another analyst, said the situation is likely to worsen, with the country potentially facing widespread outages in the coming weeks.He said the government could increase generation from coal as summer demand rises, but is unlikely to rely on expensive fuels in a bid to shield consumers from higher electricity bills.
