SSGC reduces gas supply hours for households by 30 minutes in morning, afternoon

Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has further reduced gas supply hours for domestic consumers during the winter season, cutting the morning and afternoon supply schedules by 30 minutes each.

Under the revised schedule, households will receive gas from 6:30am to 9am, from 12pm to 2:30pm, and from 6pm to 9pm.

The revised timings mean that consumers will now receive gas for only two-and-a-half hours in the morning and afternoon, while the evening supply will continue for three hours. Overall, domestic consumers will have access to gas for eight hours a day.

Previously, gas was available for three hours each during the morning and afternoon slots.

The latest revision has reduced both periods by half an hour, further narrowing the window available to households for cooking and other daily activities.

Winter demand puts pressure on gas supply

Gas shortages generally intensify during winter as falling temperatures increase domestic consumption. Households rely more heavily on natural gas for cooking and heating, putting additional pressure on the country's already constrained supply system.

Pakistan meets its gas requirements through a combination of domestic production and imported liquefied natural gas (LNG). 

However, declining output from local gas fields, alongside challenges and uncertainty surrounding imported LNG supplies, has made it increasingly difficult to meet demand across different sectors.

The situation has also raised concerns over the availability of gas during peak consumption hours.

In previous winters, gas utilities have introduced time-based supply schedules to manage limited supplies and prioritise domestic consumers during breakfast, lunch and dinner preparation.

The government has generally prioritised household consumption in its winter gas management plans, while supplies to other sectors may be adjusted to manage the demand-supply gap.

SSGC, which supplies natural gas to consumers in Sindh and Balochistan, has introduced the revised timings as part of its winter supply arrangements.

The reduced morning and afternoon supply windows are likely to add to the difficulties faced by households, particularly those that depend on gas for preparing meals before work and school hours.