Electricity generation up by 25percent in April’21

May 25, 2021

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Pakistan’s Total energy production increased by 25% year-on-year to 10,481 GWh during April-2021, compared with 8,391 GWh in April 2020.

The growth in electricity generation is largely due to a lower base and increased gas production amid interrupted gas supplies to local power plants.

According to sources, Hydel, RLNG, Coal, Gas and Nuclear remained the main electricity suppliers in April with a share of 25%, 25%, 23%, 12%, and 10% respectively while wind energy, Furnance Oil and Bagasse also contributed to the country’s total electricity by 2%, 1% and 0.7%.

Overall, during the fiscal year July’2020 – April’2021, electricity production increased by 6.5% year-on-year and reached 102,852 GWh (14,097 MW) compared to the same period last year. The main contributors in this period were Hydal and Coal with 30% and 22% respectively. While electricity production from gas and wind decreased by 8% and 6%, respectively, year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the cost of fuel for energy production jumped by 21% year-on-year to Rs. 5.57/kWh in April, mainly due to a 25% year-on-year increase in the cost of producing electricity from coal to Rs 8.01 / kWh. Coal prices have increased by 49%.

In addition, the costs of gas and nuclear energy production also increased by 17% year-on-year to Rs 7.46 / kWh and 10.8% per year to Rs 1.11 / kWh. However, wind energy production decreased by 15% year-on-year.

The source also highlighted that during 10MFY2021, the average cost of electricity production decreased to Rs. 4.61 / kWh, mainly due to an increase in hydropower and nuclear power generation.

As a result of increased energy production, total energy consumption during the fiscal period from July’2020 to April’2021 also increased by 6.91% compared to last year.

Increased electricity generation and consumption is another sign of strong economic growth, as energy consumption is a measure of a country’s economic health.