K-Electric may have to carry out load management as 'extreme' measure during peak hours at night

K-Electric, Karachi's primary power utility, has warned it may resort to extreme load management during peak evening and nighttime hours due to a lack of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG). This shortage is attributed to global supply disruptions and delayed cargo arrivals, which are impacting electricity generation throughout Pakistan.

K-Electric spokesperson Imran Rana announced the potential measure on X, stating that daytime supply should remain stable. The company is working closely with Pakistan LNG Limited and other authorities to expedite normalisation. This situation mirrors a prior incident in the same year when power shortages were imposed due to RLNG unavailability.

The government had previously apologized for load management in August, promising that it would be minimized once the delayed cargoes arrived. In April, the government also apologized for extended power outages, which exceeded the promised 2.25 hours, caused by reduced water availability for power generation. Pakistan is currently facing a fuel shortage due to conflicts in the Middle East, which have disrupted major oil and gas supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, leading to increased fuel prices.

Authorities are struggling to finalize an LNG import plan for the upcoming three winter months (December to February), as a task force led by Lt Gen Zafar Iqbal has only secured 10-12 cargoes, each containing approximately 100 million cubic feet. The plan will be submitted to the prime minister for approval, considering the significant cost ($100 million per cargo) and the need for consent from the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan.

Market conditions suggest that actual LNG imports may be limited to seven to eight cargoes over the three winter months, potentially meeting the Ministry of Finance's desired outcome.