Power generation in Pakistan rose in February 2026, helped by stronger demand and a shift by industries towards the national grid.
Total electricity generation reached 7,696 gigawatt hours during the month, marking an increase of 11 percent compared to February last year, when output stood at 6,945 gigawatt hours.
Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said the rise in output was linked to improved demand conditions. Lower electricity tariffs and a gradual move by industrial users back to the grid also supported the increase.
However, on a monthly basis, power generation dropped by 16 percent from January 2026, when production had touched 9,140 gigawatt hours. The decline reflects a typical slowdown after peak winter demand.
Output up in FY26 so far
Despite the monthly dip, overall generation during the first eight months of the current fiscal year showed steady growth. From July to February, total output reached 84,192 gigawatt hours, up 3 percent from 81,738 gigawatt hours recorded in the same period last year.
Cost of generation moves higher
The cost of generating electricity also increased on a yearly basis. In February, the average cost rose to Rs8.15 per unit, compared to Rs7.57 per unit a year earlier.
According to analysts, the increase in cost was mainly due to changes in the energy mix. A lower share of hydel and nuclear power, which are generally cheaper, and a higher reliance on imported coal pushed costs up.
On a monthly basis, however, the cost of generation fell sharply by 30 percent from Rs11.64 per unit in January, offering some relief.
Coal takes the lead in energy mix
Coal emerged as the largest source of electricity in February, contributing 30.9 percent to total generation. Hydel power followed with a share of 23.2 percent, while nuclear energy accounted for 18.8 percent.
Gas and re-gasified liquefied natural gas contributed 11.5 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively.
Among renewable sources, wind made up 3.3 percent of the generation mix, while solar contributed 1.2 percent.
The latest figures show how Pakistan’s power sector continues to shift between different fuel sources, depending on cost and availability, while demand patterns remain a key driver of output.
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