ISLAMABAD: The government is considering placing RLNG-fired power plants with a combined capacity exceeding 3,600MW on preservation mode due to challenges in securing imported gas at affordable rates, particularly after supply disruptions linked to Qatar’s force majeure declaration.
According to official sources, the power sector currently requires around 350 MMCFD of RLNG, but only about 80 MMCFD is being supplied by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL). At present, this limited supply is being directed to a single power plant, with concerns that availability may decline further as no new cargoes are المتوقع in the near term.
Pakistan operates three major RLNG-based combined-cycle power plants—Bhikki (1,180MW), Haveli Bahadur Shah (1,230MW), and Balloki (1,223MW)—all commissioned between 2015 and 2018 to address chronic electricity shortages. These plants are now at risk of reduced operations due to fuel constraints.
Officials said the government is currently managing the power system by curtailing gas supply from local fields while utilizing limited RLNG from previously arrived cargoes. However, procuring RLNG from the spot market—currently priced at around $25 per MMBTU—could significantly worsen the gas sector’s circular debt, which has already surged to approximately Rs3 trillion.
Despite the financial burden, spot purchases may still be considered in case of severe shortages. Sources warned that prolonged disruptions in RLNG supply could lead to a few hours of nationwide load shedding. While consumers may tolerate short outages, there is strong resistance to higher electricity tariffs under the Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) mechanism.
The Power Division, however, maintains that there is currently no supply-demand gap in the national grid, and the system is being managed in a balanced manner. Officials clarified that no scheduled load shedding is being carried out by distribution companies, and any outages are localized and related to distribution issues.
On the question of placing RLNG plants on preservation mode, authorities stated that no final decision has yet been made. “The situation remains under review based on system requirements and fuel availability,” an official said.
Data indicates that in January 2026, SNGPL supplied around 400 MMCFD RLNG to power plants, which was fully utilized. Electricity generation from RLNG reached 2,002 GWh during the month—accounting for 2.9% of total generation—at an average cost of Rs19.93 per unit, up nearly 30% compared to 1,542 GWh in January 2025.
Story by Mushtaq Ghumman
