ISLAMABAD (News Desk) – The government has announced the restoration of uninterrupted electricity supply following the arrival of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments, while warning that the use of costly fuel may increase the burden on consumers.
Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari said the inflow of LNG has helped stabilise electricity generation, allowing normal supply to resume across the country.
He pointed to the LNG vessel Seapeak Magellan, which recently docked at the Pakistan GasPort terminal and started feeding re-gasified LNG (RLNG) into the national system. The cargo, arranged by TotalEnergies, contained around 140,000 cubic metres of LNG.
The minister expressed optimism that, unless transmission faults occur, consumers are unlikely to face further power outages. However, he acknowledged that Pakistan had to depend on expensive LNG after gas supplies from Qatar were disrupted due to regional tensions.
He explained that the recent phase of loadshedding, which lasted nearly two weeks, was mainly due to gas shortages and described it as a temporary issue that has now been resolved.
Leghari highlighted that hydropower generation has significantly increased to about 6,000 megawatts from nearly 1,000 megawatts earlier, contributing to improved stability. Overall electricity production in the country currently stands at around 32,000 megawatts.
He further noted that furnace oil and diesel-powered plants were also utilised to overcome the shortfall, but warned that relying heavily on such fuels would lead to higher electricity prices.
The government, he said, remains committed to balancing uninterrupted supply with efforts to shield consumers from rising costs.
Officials are also making arrangements for another LNG shipment expected between May 10 and 12 to ensure continued stability in the power sector.
