Pakistan’s electricity generation increased 5% year over year to 13,217 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in September 2026, while the average fuel cost of power generation climbed 32% to Rs. 9.4 per unit, according to a report by Topline Research.
Despite the annual increase, power generation fell 12% from August’s 14,942 GWh. Total generation during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27 (1QFY27) reached 43,281 GWh, up 6% from 40,933 GWh in the same period last year.
The average fuel cost of electricity generation declined 7% month over month in September, from Rs. 10 per unit in August. However, the quarterly average rose 36% year over year to Rs. 10.1 per unit, compared with Rs. 7.4 in 1QFY26.
Imported coal and furnace oil lead annual generation growth
Imported coal-fired power generation more than doubled year over year in September, rising 111% to 2,155 GWh from 1,019 GWh a year earlier. Its share of the national generation mix increased to 16.3% from 8.1%.
Furnace oil (FO) generation climbed 171% to 263 GWh, compared with 97 GWh in September 2025. Its share of the power mix rose to 2% from 0.8%.
Wind power generation increased 36% to 464 GWh, while locally mined coal generation rose 10% to 1,327 GWh. Gas-based generation grew 13% to 1,066 GWh.
Nuclear power generation declined 15% year over year to 1,893 GWh, while regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) generation fell 56% to 804 GWh. Hydropower output edged up 1% to 4,834 GWh, remaining the largest source of electricity generation during the month.
Hydropower remains the largest source of electricity
Hydropower accounted for 36.6% of Pakistan’s electricity generation in September, down from 38% a year earlier. Imported coal contributed 16.3%, followed by nuclear power at 14.3% and locally mined coal at 10%.
Gas accounted for 8.1% of generation, while RLNG contributed 6.1%. Wind power represented 3.5% of the total, followed by furnace oil at 2%, high-speed diesel at 1.6%, solar at 0.8% and bagasse at 0.3%.
The generation mix also shifted compared with August. Nuclear power’s share increased to 14.3% from 10.2%, while imported coal’s share rose to 16.3% from 15.6%. Hydropower’s contribution declined to 36.6% from 37.8%, and wind power’s share fell to 3.5% from 5.6%.
The average fuel cost of power generation reached Rs. 9.4 per unit in September, up from Rs. 7.1 a year earlier, according to Topline Research. RLNG recorded one of the sharpest increases in fuel cost, rising 87% year over year to Rs. 39.7 per unit. Furnace oil costs increased 58% to Rs. 44.9 per unit, while imported coal costs rose 25% to Rs. 17.2 per unit.
Nuclear power generation costs increased 33% to Rs. 2.9 per unit, while the cost of electricity generated from locally mined coal fell 54% to Rs. 6 per unit. Gas-based generation costs declined 3% to Rs. 13 per unit, and bagasse costs rose 10% to Rs. 10.9 per unit.
On a month-over-month basis, the aggregate fuel cost declined from Rs. 10 per unit in August to Rs. 9.4 in September. RLNG costs fell 14% to Rs. 39.7 per unit, while gas costs declined 8% to Rs. 13 per unit. Imported coal costs rose 1% to Rs. 17.2 per unit.
During 1QFY27, Pakistan generated 43,281 GWh of electricity, compared with 40,933 GWh in the same quarter last year. Imported coal generation rose 102% year over year to 6,654 GWh, while wind generation increased 37% to 1,979 GWh. Locally mined coal output grew 11% to 4,603 GWh, and gas generation edged up 1% to 3,108 GWh.
In contrast, RLNG generation declined 42% to 3,744 GWh, while nuclear generation fell 14% to 4,948 GWh. Hydropower output increased 3% to 16,507 GWh.
The average fuel cost of power generation reached Rs. 10.1 per unit during the quarter, up from Rs. 7.4 a year earlier. Quarterly costs rose across several major fuel sources, including RLNG, furnace oil and imported coal.
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