Islamabad: The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) on Saturday permitted the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to import furnace oil for K-Electric (KE) to assist in managing Karachi’s electricity demand during the summer months, according to news sources.
The committee, under the chair of Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, has given special permissions to import high sulphur furnace oil (HSFO) — two shipments of 70,000 tonnes each — after two years since the refineries have been rendered unable to meet the requirements amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
This shortfall is likely to cause a serious power shortfall in Karachi as the temperatures start hiking. The committee was informed that the summer demand of HSFO by KE ranges between 2,500 and 3,500 tonnes.
Moreover, K-Electric had issued a statement in this regard stating that their daily supply has been cut short by 800 metric–tonnes–second (MTs) per day and there are pending orders of 14,000 MTs furnace – compromising the power generation capacity.
The meeting also mulled over proposals regarding sustainable supply-chain of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country. Another committee was constituted under Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Mohammad Jahanzeb Khan to develop an action plan regarding the matter within 15 days for cabinet’s approval.
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