Pakistan is Using Far More Imported Coal to Make Electricity

While the average fuel cost of power generation climbed 32% to Rs, pakistan's electricity generation rose 5% year over year to 13, 217 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in September 2026.

Key points

• During 1QFY27, Pakistan generated 43, 281 GWh of electricity, compared with 40, 933 GWh in the same quarter last year.
• Furnace oil (FO) generation climbed 171% to 263 GWh, compared with 97 GWh in September 2025.
• 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.
• While nuclear generation fell 14% to 4, 948 GWh, in contrast, RLNG generation declined 42% to 3, 744 GWh.
• While locally mined coal generation rose 10% to 1, 327 GWh, wind power generation rose 36% to 464 GWh.

Despite the annual growth, 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.

Meanwhile, the average fuel cost of electricity generation declined 7% month over month in September, from Rs. 10 per unit in August. Nevertheless, 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 expansion.

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 rose 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%.

While locally mined coal generation rose 10% to 1, 327 GWh, wind power generation rose 36% to 464 GWh. Gas-based generation grew 13% to 1, 066 GWh.

While regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) generation fell 56% to 804 GWh, nuclear power generation declined 15% year over year to 1, 893 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%.

While RLNG contributed 6.1%, gas accounted for 8.1% of generation. 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%.

In practice, the generation mix additionally shifted compared with August. While imported coal's share rose to 16.3% from 15.6%, nuclear power's share rose to 14.3% from 10.2%. Hydropower's contribution declined to 36.6% from 37.8%, and wind power's share fell to 3.5% from 5.6%.

In practice, 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 rose 58% to Rs. While imported coal costs rose 25% to Rs, 44.9 per unit. 17.2 per unit.

Nuclear power generation costs rose 33% to Rs. While the cost of electricity generated from locally mined coal fell 54% to Rs, 2.9 per unit. 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. While gas costs declined 8% to Rs, 39.7 per unit. 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. While wind generation rose 37% to 1, 979 GWh, imported coal generation rose 102% year over year to 6, 654 GWh. Locally mined coal output grew 11% to 4, 603 GWh, and gas generation edged up 1% to 3, 108 GWh.

While nuclear generation fell 14% to 4, 948 GWh, in contrast, RLNG generation declined 42% to 3, 744 GWh. Hydropower output rose 3% to 16, 507 GWh.

In practice, 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 throughout a number of major fuel sources, including RLNG, furnace oil and imported coal. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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