The ongoing US-Iran war has disrupted LNG supplies from Qatar, creating fresh difficulties for Pakistan as it attempts to purchase support cargoes to meet its energy needs.
Pakistan has once again failed to secure an LNG cargo after no bids were received in the latest tender issued by Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL), according to sources.
Sources at Pakistan LNG Limited said Pakistan had issued an LNG purchase tender for the third time in September, seeking a cargo for delivery between September 12 and 16.
PLL had invited international LNG companies to submit bids by September 8, but no company submitted an offer for the required cargo.
The latest failure comes after Pakistan had already faced difficulties in securing LNG supplies, with two LNG cargo bids for September previously canceled.
LNG supply disruption creates fresh challenge
The disruption in LNG supplies from Qatar has made it increasingly difficult for Pakistan to arrange support cargoes through the international market.
Pakistan relies on these LNG purchases to support power generation, particularly when domestic gas supplies are insufficient to meet the requirements of LNG-based power plants.
The inability to secure additional LNG cargoes could therefore put further pressure on the country’s already strained electricity supply.
6,000MW LNG power plants affected
The shortage is already creating problems for electricity generation, with power plants having a combined capacity of around 6,000 megawatts running on LNG shut down.
The reduction in available generation capacity is adding to the country’s power shortfall and increasing pressure on the electricity system.
The LNG supply problem is also contributing to continued load shedding across the country, particularly during nighttime hours.
With electricity demand remaining high and LNG-based generation affected, consumers continue to face severe power outages due to the generation shortfall.
Failed purchase threatens to deepen power crisis
Pakistan’s repeated failure to purchase LNG cargoes has raised concerns that the power crisis could worsen if alternative supplies are not secured.
The disruption in Qatar’s LNG supply, combined with unsuccessful tenders in Pakistan, could further constrain fuel availability for power plants and add to the electricity shortage.
For Pakistan, securing LNG remains critical to maintaining power generation and reducing the impact of load shedding across the country.
