LAHORE, Dec 11: The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited on Tuesday started shutting supplies to general industry as gas demand rose to 2,200 million cubic feet against a supply of 1,850mmcf.

It had already stopped supplies to cement and power sector, saving over 300mmcf.

With the mercury taking a further dip on Tuesday, it had to stop supplies to general industries to save another 30mmcf.

According to company officials, they had devised a new strategy for loadshedding for this winter.

Instead of stopping supplies to big industries, it would move sector-wise; for example, it would stop supplies to all units working in power sector.

The decision has been taken to remove complaints of big industries which complain of discrimination in gas supplies.

The company has also authorised its local management to deal with loadshedding schedule instead of head office directing them at every step.

The head office would only inform them about the gap in demand and supply, and allocate loadshedding to every region. The supply situation would be communicated to regional office on a daily basis, which would bridge the gap.

Talking about expected extent of loadshedding, Mujahid Anwer of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited said it could go up to 600mmcf during the next few days.

The company has asked three fertiliser factories — the DH Fertiliser, Pak-Arab and Pak-American — to start annual maintenance in the next few days.

They have agreed to spread their maintenance schedule in 45 days, starting from Dec 25.

They would be providing a relief of around 50mmcf at any given time, he said.