Pakistan is facing a dire electricity crisis, with a staggering shortfall of 6,206 megawatts across the country. The stark disparity between demand and supply has left millions in the dark, with load-shedding schedules stretching up to 14 hours in some areas.
The numbers tell a grim tale – electricity demand has skyrocketed to 26,500 megawatts, but the country’s generation capacity is struggling to keep up at just 20,294 megawatts. Hydroelectric plants are churning out 6,990 megawatts, while government-owned thermal plants contribute a meager 890 megawatts. Private sector powerhouses are doing their bit with 7,880 megawatts, but it’s simply not enough to keep the lights on.
The situation is further exacerbated by the reliance on wind (1,000 MW), solar (199 MW), biomass (145 MW), and nuclear (3,200 MW) power, which together account for less than a quarter of the total generation. The result? Widespread load-shedding that has left citizens in the dark for up to 10 hours a day, with some areas facing even longer outages due to line losses.
It’s a perfect storm of rising demand, aging infrastructure, and insufficient investment in the power sector. As the mercury rises and the economy struggles to get back on its feet, the government must act fast to address this crisis before it spirals out of control. Innovative solutions, strategic partnerships, and a renewed focus on renewable energy could be the keys to unlocking a brighter future for Pakistan’s power sector.