Pakistan's power generation rises 5% YoY in Aug

September 21, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's total power generation rose 5.1% year-on-year (YoY) to 14,943 GWh in Aug'26, up from 14,218 GWh a year earlier, amid higher hydel, coal, gas and wind output, while cumulative generation in 2MFY27 climbed 6.1% YoY to 30,065 GWh.

On a monthly basis, generation in Aug'26 was down 1.2% from 15,122 GWh in Jul'26, according to Arif Habib Limited (AHL), based on data sourced from NEPRA.

On a cumulative basis, RFO generation surged 2.7x YoY, followed by imported coal, which rose 97.5%, and wind, which grew 37.2%.

Local coal (11.2%), gas (8.1%) and hydel (4.4%) also posted gains, while RLNG fell 41.9% and nuclear declined 13.9%.

Hydel generation totaled 5,654 GWh in Aug'26, up 2.5% YoY but down 6.1% month-on-month (MoM). It remained the single largest source of electricity, accounting for 37.8% of the generation mix, compared with 38.8% a year earlier.

Nuclear generation declined 28.8% YoY to 1,528 GWh in Aug'26 and stayed flat on a monthly basis (1,527 GWh in Jul'26). Its share in the mix fell to 10.2% from 15.1% a year earlier.

Imported coal-based generation more than doubled, rising 104.7% YoY and 7.4% MoM to 2,330 GWh. This lifted its share in the generation mix to 15.6% from 8.0% in Aug'25.

RLNG-based generation stood at 1,052 GWh, down 51.7% YoY and 35.4% MoM, reflecting continued moderation in RLNG utilization versus last year's elevated base. Its share in the mix fell to 7.0% from 15.3%.

Local coal generation rose 12.8% YoY to 1,626 GWh but slipped 1.5% MoM, taking its share to 10.9% from 10.1% a year earlier.

Gas-based generation climbed to 1,311 GWh, up 26.7% YoY and 32.4% MoM, while wind power jumped 62.7% YoY and 22.1% MoM to 833 GWh, lifting its share to 5.6% from 3.6%.

Solar posted growth of 7.7% YoY and 5.7% MoM to 112 GWh.

RFO-based generation rose to 321 GWh from 92 GWh a year earlier, up 49.3% MoM, while HSD contributed 80 GWh, compared with no generation in Aug'25 and 31 GWh in Jul'26.

Fuel cost jumps 38% as DISCOs seek positive FCA

The average cost of power generation surged 38% YoY to Rs10.01/kWh in Aug'26 from Rs7.27/kWh a year earlier, though it eased 7% from Rs10.75/kWh in Jul'26.

The increase was driven by a higher share of RLNG and furnace oil in the mix, while elevated oil prices further pushed up generation costs.

RLNG cost stood at Rs45.93/kWh, up 111% YoY but down 3% MoM, while RFO cost rose 37% YoY to Rs45.25/kWh, down 10% from the previous month.

Imported coal generation cost Rs17.09/kWh (up 21% YoY) and gas Rs14.22/kWh (up 6% YoY), whereas local coal cost fell 54% YoY to Rs5.50/kWh.

Consequently, DISCOs sought a positive Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA) of Rs1.73/kWh for Aug'26.

Generation Mix (GWh)

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