The Pakistan government is preparing a hybrid plan to deal with an expected power shortage this summer. Officials fear serious challenges due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted fuel supplies.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplies to power plants are expected to drop to nearly zero from next month. At the same time, coal transportation to power plants has been badly affected by a dispute between the Pakistan Railways and coal suppliers. These problems have forced the government to consider running expensive furnace oil-based power plants to meet demand.
Summer peak electricity demand is expected to reach 27,000 to 28,000 MW. To manage the shortfall, the government is planning 2 to 3 hours of daily load-shedding on average. Strict electricity conservation measures will also be introduced, and fuel costs may be passed on to consumers, leading to an increase of Rs 10–12 per unit in electricity bills.
Power Division officials are working on different options, including diverting gas from the CNG and fertilizer sectors to power generation. However, fuel stocks at many plants are currently very low — sufficient for only 3 to 7 days.
The hybrid strategy aims to balance supply and demand while minimising the impact on industry and households. The government has warned that without quick action, the situation could worsen during the hot summer months when air-conditioner use pushes demand higher.
This power crisis highlights Pakistan’s continued dependence on imported fuels and the urgent need for more indigenous and renewable energy sources.
