KARACHI: Total power generation in Pakistan rose 6.0 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to 8,939 GWh in March 2026, up from 8,409 GWh in the same month last year.
On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, generation increased 16 per cent from 7,696 GWh in February, reflecting improved demand and seasonal factors, according to data released on Friday.
The increase was largely driven by a sharp rise in hydel and imported coal-based generation. Hydel output surged 62 per cent YoY to 2,105 GWh, lifting its share in the energy mix to 23.5 per cent from 15.4 per cent a year earlier. Imported coal-based generation jumped 126 per cent to 1,234 GWh, indicating a shift towards relatively cheaper fuel sources.
Local coal-based generation rose 8.0 per cent to 1,498 GWh, while gas-fired output edged up 4.0 per cent to 1,014 GWh. In contrast, RLNG-based generation fell 67 per cent to 504 GWh, pointing to reduced reliance on costly imported gas.
Nuclear generation declined 12 per cent YoY to 1,962 GWh, though it rebounded 35 per cent from the previous month. Among renewables, wind generation increased 34 per cent to 309 GWh, while solar output fell 12 per cent to 106 GWh.
During the first nine months of FY26, total power generation reached 93,131 GWh, up 3.0 per cent from a year earlier. Hydel remained the largest contributor with a 30 per cent share, followed by nuclear at 18.4 per cent and RLNG at 14.8 per cent.
The energy mix continued to shift, with hydel and coal gaining share while RLNG and nuclear declined. Imported coal’s share rose to 13.8 per cent in March 2026 from 6.5 per cent a year earlier, underscoring a structural change in fuel usage.
Average fuel cost fell 14.6 per cent year-on-year to Rs8.08 per kWh in March, compared with Rs9.46 a year earlier, while remaining broadly stable on a monthly basis.
Among fuels, RLNG prices rose 6.0 per cent YoY, while imported fuel costs increased 28 per cent. In contrast, prices of imported and local coal declined 14 per cent and 9.0 per cent, respectively, easing overall generation costs.Bagasse-based generation recorded a 76 per cent increase in fuel cost, while gas prices rose 12 per cent from a year earlier.
