The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has announced a 50% reduction in gas supply for captive power generation from January 1 to 31, 2025, citing a significant decline in gas reserves and the need to prioritize domestic consumers during the winter months.
In a notice issued to industrial associations on Monday, SSGC highlighted the severe shortage of indigenous gas and confirmed that, according to the Ministry of Energy’s priority guidelines, domestic consumers—especially those in Balochistan—would receive precedence in the winter.
This reduction in supply is in accordance with Clause-1 of the ‘Gas Supply Agreement’ (GSA) for power generation, which stipulates that gas will be provided on an “as and when available” basis. The clause also mandates industries to maintain dual-firing arrangements to minimize production disruptions during supply shortages.
The GSA typically allows for gas supply from March to November, with full disconnections during the peak winter months of December through February. However, in a shift from previous years, SSGC has opted for a 50% curtailment in January rather than a complete disconnection to balance the needs of the domestic sector.
SSGC has urged industrial consumers to cooperate with these measures, stressing the importance of ensuring uninterrupted gas supply to residential areas during the cold winter months.
On December 27, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed that gas supplies to households be prioritized. He emphasized that ensuring gas availability for domestic consumers remains the government’s top priority.
During a meeting in Islamabad, the Prime Minister ordered long-term reforms to address the systemic issues behind gas shortages, aiming to provide a permanent solution. It was reported that the supply of Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) had improved, helping to ease load management compared to previous years. The gas load-shedding period this year was shorter, and gas is now being supplied to households from 5 AM to 10 PM, with the power sector receiving gas based on demand.
The meeting also revealed that online dashboards for consumer complaints with SNGPL and SSGC were now active, with SNGPL having a complaint resolution rate of 93% and SSGC at 79%. Additionally, all gas fields across the country were reported to be operational.
The briefing was attended by key government officials, including Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahmad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik, Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ihsan Afzal, and other senior officials.
