What does the recent decision by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) mean for consumers? The company has announced a restriction of gas supply to just six hours a day, primarily during breakfast and dinner hours, in response to ongoing shortages.

Consumers will now receive gas twice a day, as the supply will remain suspended in the afternoon due to low system pressure. This new arrangement aims to ensure limited gas availability during peak demand periods only, but it is expected to further disrupt routine domestic use.

The current gas shortages have also had a significant impact on power generation. Reports indicate that the supply of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) has dropped to around 80 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), while the requirement for power generation is nearly 350 mmcfd. This discrepancy has led to a shortfall in power supply, particularly affecting regions like Lahore.

In Lahore, the demand for electricity stands between 2,500 and 2,700 megawatts (MW), but the available supply has been constrained to around 3,600 MW due to reduced gas supply. Consequently, the city is experiencing a shortfall of 500 to 700 MW.

The crisis has intensified to the point where providing gas three times a day is no longer feasible. Even maintaining supply during breakfast and dinner hours has become increasingly difficult, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Disruptions in liquefied natural gas imports have created a severe shortage, which has severely affected the system’s ability to sustain stable pressure levels. The reduced supply is expected to have lasting implications on both domestic consumers and the energy sector.

As SNGPL implements these changes, the full impact on consumers and power generation remains to be seen. The situation continues to evolve, and further updates will be necessary to understand the long-term effects of this gas supply restriction.