Pakistan faces 6,500MW power shortfall, outages hit up to 16 hours

Pakistan is facing a widening electricity crisis, with the overall power shortfall reaching around 6,500 megawatts (MW), leading to prolonged and widespread load shedding across the country.

Total electricity demand has risen to approximately 22,000MW, while generation remains limited to about 15,400MW, according to sources. The energy mix includes 1,500MW from hydropower, 9,250MW from thermal sources, 2,850MW from nuclear, 1,200MW from wind, 400MW from solar and 200MW from bagasse.

The supply gap has resulted in outages ranging from 8 to 16 hours in different regions, with both rural and urban areas affected. In Lahore Electric Supply Company’s jurisdiction, unannounced outages continued overnight, while the utility faced a shortfall of around 1,000MW with demand reaching 2,900MW during peak hours.

Officials said electricity demand drops during daytime due to increased solar generation, but outages intensify during evening and night hours.

The Power Division acknowledged additional load management and attributed it to reduced hydropower generation due to lower water releases from dams. Hydropower output declined by nearly 1,991MW during peak hours, contributing to a shortfall of around 4,500MW at night, when demand stood at about 18,000MW.

Authorities said the situation is expected to improve with increased water availability and better supply of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) in the coming days.

Despite official claims that load management is limited, multiple distribution companies, including Islamabad Electric Supply Company, have announced scheduled outages, while ground reports indicate longer and more frequent disruptions.

Consumers across the country reported outages exceeding official estimates, with urban centres such as Lahore, Faisalabad and Kasur experiencing cuts between three and eight hours, while rural areas faced outages of up to 16 hours.

Residents in areas under Multan Electric Power Company reported hourly outages, with some regions experiencing power cuts lasting up to 12 to 16 hours, affecting daily routines and business activity.

Officials attributed part of the generation shortfall to reduced gas supply to power plants, as LNG cargo arrivals remain suspended until early May, limiting fuel availability for thermal generation.

The ongoing outages have disrupted daily life and raised concerns over power sector management, as businesses report losses and households face rising difficulties amid increasing temperatures.

Authorities have urged consumers to conserve electricity, particularly during peak hours, while legal challenges have also emerged over unannounced load shedding.

With summer demand yet to peak, concerns are growing that the supply gap could widen further in the coming weeks.