Country’s total installed capacity stands at 49,651MW by Mar 2026

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jun, 2026) The country's total installed electricity generation capacity reached 49,651 megawatts (MW) as of March 2026, registering an increase of 8.5 percent compared to 45,782 MW in the corresponding period of FY2025.

According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, released on Thursday, the growth was largely driven by the addition of 7,319 MW through net-metering installations, reflecting the increasing adoption of decentralized and renewable energy solutions across the country.

Official figures showed that hydel, nuclear, and renewable energy sources accounted for 50.8 percent of the installed generation capacity, while the share of thermal power declined to 49.2 percent from 56.7 percent a year earlier. The respective shares of hydel, nuclear, renewable, and thermal energy in the installed capacity stood at 23.4 percent, 7.1 percent, 20.3 percent, and 49.2 percent.

It noted that out of 102 commissioned Independent Power Producers (IPPs), 13 plants with a combined capacity of 5,105 MW were closed for various reasons. These included nine residual fuel oil (RFO)-based IPPs with a capacity of 2,877 MW, three gas/RLNG-based plants with 601 MW capacity, and one multi-fuel plant with a capacity of 1,638 MW.

Out of the total electricity generation of 92,835 GWh during July-March FY2026, hydel, nuclear, and renewable sources contributed 53.1 percent. The share of thermal power as the dominant source of electricity generation has declined over the past few years, highlighting increased reliance on indigenous energy resources.

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This shift marks a positive development of the economy, as the energy mix transitions away from thermal generation towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Meanwhile, electricity consumption in the country increased by 3.8 percent during July-March FY2026, reaching 83,143 GWh compared to 80,811 GWh in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

The household sector is the largest consumer of electricity, consuming 39,472 GWh (47.5 percent), followed by the industrial sector rising to 26,205 GWh from 21,083 GWh in the corresponding period last year. Consequently, the sector's share in overall electricity usage increased from 26.3 percent to 31.5 percent, reflecting improved industrial activity.

The agriculture sector registered a sharp decline in electricity consumption, which fell by 42.3 percent from 4,566 GWh to 2,636 GWh.

The commercial sector posted a modest increase in electricity consumption, rising from 6,898 GWh to 7,044 GWh, suggesting a gradual improvement in business and retail activities, particularly in urban areas.

The "others" category, which includes public lighting, bulk supply, and government buildings, consumed 7,785 GWh during the period, with its share marginally declining from 9.8 percent to 9.4 percent.