KARACHI - The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has warned that the loadshedding duration for domestic, commercial and industrial would increase if the Sui Southern Gas Company not resumed the gas supply. Adil Murtaza spokesperson of KESC told The Nation that due to decrease gas supply by SSGC a Combine Cycle Power Plant, Korangi of the utility company had tripped on 160mmcfd gas supply causing power shortfall in the city has been increased.
The gas supply has further reduced and Power Company received 140mmcfd gas by the SSGC, reducing gas supply would increase power loadshedding, Murtaza added. He further said the government had committed to provide 276MMCFD to the utility`s existing power plants and 130 MMCFD extra for the 560 MW Bin Qasim Power Station-II in 2009. However, the SSGC continued to violate the commitment.
The gas company had been providing 200 to 220mmcfd gas supply to KESC which also decreased and reached at 140mmcfd.  However, due to the tug of war between two utility companies, Karachiites face 10 to 12 hour’s loadshedding.
Meanwhile, the KESC appealed to the federal government to intervene and avert the looming power crisis in the city.
Meanwhile, KESC has issued final disconnection notice to Sindh Police after the Department failed to pay accumulated electricity charges of Rs 1.2 billion against various connections despite repeated communications and reminders. In the final disconnection notice, KESC urged the Police Department to pay the dues within seven working days. Otherwise, under NEPRA consumer service manual and Electricity Act of 1910, not only the electricity connections would be cut without any further reference or intimation, but the sanctioned load of these connections would also stand canceled.
Earlier, KESC had sent a final payment notice to Police Department for imbursement of the overdue amount within 15 working days. However, this period lapsed without the Department discharging its liabilities.
In a letter to Inspector General Sindh Police on Oct 23, KESC expressed hope that he would realise the gravity of the situation and would take urgent steps for immediate settlement of the entire outstanding amount of Rs 1.2 billion as at September 2013.