KARACHI: K-Electric has announced revised load shed schedule for customers effective from July 1, to provide relief to customers experiencing nighttime load shed, an official said.

The shortfall in K-Electric territory has increased from an average of 250MW to 350MW to almost 450MW to 500MW due to rising temperatures and curtailed fuel supply.

K-Electric spokesperson said that the revision in timing is in line with the company’s discussion with various stakeholders including the Sindh Energy Ministry as well as Commissioner Karachi.

“We are making every endeavour to seek support in mitigating these issues. Unfortunately, at this time there is a power shortfall at the national level as well as shortage of gas and regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) in the country,” he added.

“We are grateful to the Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Sheikh for his pledge to solicit additional power and gas to further reduce night-time load shed. In the meanwhile, and due to limited and finite energy sources, we have redistributed the load shed timings amongst the customers.

The updated schedule of the new load shed regime has been made publicly available on K-Electric’s website. Consumers can use their account numbers to find their individual schedule.

He said that uninterrupted power supply will continue to feeders powering Karachi’s industrial zones and strategic feeders including those energising Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and strategic installations such as Karachi Airport.

The shortfall persists round the clock making the nighttime load shed unavoidable. K-Electric is also facing a power supply constraint due to reduced gas supplies from Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), which is down to approximately 90mmcfd compared with 200mmcfd gas that was supplied last year.

Consequently, two plants in K-Electric’s system, one at SITE and one at Korangi, with a combined generation of 200MW, remain non-operational.

The release of K-Electric dues from the government against tariff claims will enable the power utility to pay fuel suppliers in full and negotiate for more gas.