Gas supply diverted to power sector to meet its peak demands: Hammad Azhar

ISLAMABAD – The government has diverted gas supply from CNG and general Industries to power sector as parts of the country facing prolong power outages to bridge the electricity demand and supply gap. 

Due to a lightning strike on China Hub power plant and Low outflows from Mangla dam, some local gas (3.75pc of total) is being diverted to the power sector to meet its peak demands, said Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar said here. In a tweet he said that this is a temporary arrangement for a few days.

The government seems to be once again behind the power demand and have resorted to gas load management to cater for the power sector demand. The latest dip in electricity supply comes as supply from China Hub Power plant disrupted by lighting. The China Hub Power Plant has capacity of generating 1260 MW electricity. Similarly Mangla dam is also not generating its full capacity due to low outflows from the reservoir.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) had yesterday suspended the gas supply to CNG stations in Punjab and KP. The power supply to general industry in the SNGPL area also suspended. The CNG station in Punjab, Potohar region and Islamabad Capital Territory uses up to 40mmcfd RLNG. Similarly the CNG stations in KP consume 70mmcfd indigenous gas. The non-export general industry in Punjab and K-P consumes 115mmcfd RLNG.

The outflows from Tarbela have increased in the last few days to 150000 cusecs from the early 131000 cusecs, which has resulted in increased generation from this hydel source. On Sunday,  the inflows in Indus at Tarbela were 183300 cusecs and outflows 150000 cusecs, inflows in Kabul at Nowshera were 45700 cusecs and outflows 45700 cusecs, inflow in Jhelum at Mangla 40600 cusecs and outflows 10000 cusecs, while inflows in Chenab at Marala were 80300 cusecs and outflows 46500 cusecs.

Tarbela against the minimum operating level of 1392 feet is presently at 1460.44 feet. The maximum conservation level of the dam is 1550 feet. Mangla against the minimum operating level of 1050 feet is presently at 1166.90 feet. The maximum conservation level of the reservoir is 1242 feet. Chashma against the minimum operating level of 638.15 feet is presently at 647.60 feet. The maximum conservation level of Chashma is 649 feet.

Article source: https://nation.com.pk/19-Jul-2021/gas-supply-diverted-to-power-sector-to-meet-its-peak-demands-hammad-azhar