Petrol, Gas and Electricity Demand Drops Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

Ever since Pakistan had its first Coronavirus case in February end, the federal and provincial governments have gradually implemented a lockdown in the country to contain the spread of the virus. Albeit that over 1800 people have contracted the novel COVID-19, health isn’t the only issue faced by the government authorities amid the lockdown which has brought the economy to a partial standstill.

As per a report published in leading daily Dawn, the lockdown has majorly impacted sales and consumption of petrol, gas and electricity thus denting the demand of the three energy sources to a great extent.

According to official reports from the power sector, electricity demand has gone down by 30% as industries, offices, and markets are forced to shut down on the back of Coronavirus lockdown in the country. As a result, the utility of electricity in March has been 8,500MW in contrast to the projected estimate of 12,500-13,000MW for the month.

April has been projected for the consumption of 18,000MW but given current circumstances, the officials do not deem it possible.

Petroleum products also face a demand dip as transportation in the country has halted to a large extent. As the railway closed down its operations, flights cancel and the public discontinues its daily usage, petrol has seen its sale plument by 60%-75%.

Gas sector remains no different as it sees an oversupply of the resource in both Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd and Sui Southern Gas Pipelines. According to sources, gas sales have plummeted by 40-50% in the country as industrial and commercial usage has dropped.