SSGC Halts Gas Supply to Pakistan Steel Mills Over Rs98 Billion Default

SSGC

ISLAMABAD: Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd (SSGC) has disconnected gas supply to Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) due to chronic payment defaults amounting to Rs98 billion, including Rs75 billion in interest and late payment surcharges. The Karachi-based gas utility stated that PSM began partially defaulting on monthly gas bill payments in November 2008 and ceased all payments after March 2015. Despite multiple termination notices issued in 2015, SSGC reduced gas supplies from 21 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) in 2014-15 to 2 mmcfd in 2015-16 to maintain PSM’s Coke Oven…

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Fuel Charges Rise for Power Bills, But Relief for KE Customers

Your-Bill

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) announced an additional Rs3.33 per unit fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for May consumption, allowing ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos) to collect an additional Rs41 billion in July. In contrast, K-Electric (KE) consumers will see a Rs1.67 per unit reduction in FCA based on April consumption, amounting to an overall financial impact of around Rs2.35 billion. KE’s negative adjustment will apply to all consumer categories except lifeline consumers, domestic users consuming up to 300 units, electric vehicle charging stations, and agriculture consumers. However, domestic…

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Fuel Crisis Hits Karachi and KP as Pumps Run Dry Amid Partial Strike

Partial-Strike

KARACHI/PESHAWAR: Despite the postponement of a planned strike by petroleum dealers on Friday evening, many consumers in Karachi faced difficulties obtaining petrol and diesel earlier in the day as several fuel pumps were either closed or out of stock. The strike was a protest against the government’s imposition of a 0.5% advance turnover tax, which the dealers argue would add an additional tax burden of Rs1 million per pump. They strongly rejected this demand. According to a petroleum dealer, approximately 50% of fuel pumps in Karachi were closed ahead of…

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Ogra Expresses Strong Displeasure Over Media Reporting of Correspondences with Refineries

OGRA

KARACHI – The Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has formally protested against the publication of its communications with the refining sector in print media. In a letter addressed to the country’s five refineries on Thursday, Ogra criticized what it termed as “highly unprofessional” reporting that undermines collaborative efforts. Expressing dismay over the dissemination of news reports related to regulatory issues, Ogra emphasized its ongoing commitment to supporting refineries and resolving challenges through cooperative means. The regulator underscored that such media coverage not only disrupts the resolution process but also…

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India’s Solar Power Growth Slows to Six-Year Low in First Half of 2024

Solar-Power

SINGAPORE – India’s solar power generation expanded at its slowest pace in six years during the first half of 2024, according to analysis of data from the federal grid regulator. The growth in solar electricity production was overshadowed by a stronger reliance on coal to meet escalating power demands. Data from Grid-India revealed that electricity generated from coal increased by 10.4% in the six months ending June 30, surpassing the overall power generation growth rate of 9.7% for the same period. Solar power generation reached 63.6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in…

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