Pakistan's power generation declines in January

Pakistan's power generation saw a decrease of 1.9% in January, primarily because of the decline in hydel and coal-based generation.

Electricity production reached 8,152 GWh (10,957 MW), compared to 8,314 GWh (11,175 MW) during the same month last year.

Over the first seven months of the fiscal year 2025 (7MFY25), power generation dropped by 3.2% to 74,794 GWh (14,495 MW) from 77,296 GWh (14,980 MW) during the same period the previous year.

An analyst said the large-scale-manufacturing has been declining for the last three years impacting demand.

Pakistan’s large-scale manufacturing (LSM) declined 3.7% in December as demand remains suppressed due to high product prices and utilities charges.

January's actual power generation was 4.0% lower than the reference generation, which is anticipated to have a negative impact on the upcoming quarterly tariff adjustment.

Nuclear-based generation saw a significant increase of 25.5% but remained 4.3% below the reference generation for the month. Hydel generation fell by 6.3%, totaling 866 GWh compared to 924 GWh, and was 3.5% lower than the reference generation.

RLNG-based generation experienced a modest increase of 1.8% and stood 17.1% above the reference generation for the month. Gas-based generation rose by 3.2% but was still 14.7% below the reference generation.

Imported coal-based generation rose by 20.6% but remained 7.0% below the reference generation set at the start of FY25. Conversely, local coal-based generation dropped by 7.6% to 1,269 GWh, yet remained 37.0% above the reference level.

Solar-based power generation saw a remarkable growth of 79.4%, increasing from 48 GWh to 86 GWh, although it was 8.5% lower than the reference generation.

Wind-based power generation also experienced substantial growth of 70.9%, increasing from 218 GWh to 128 GWh, but was 5.2% lower than the reference generation.