Electricity sector in Pakistan
Electricity in Pakistan is generated, transmitted, distributed, and retail supplied by two vertically integrated public sector utilities: Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for all of Pakistan (except Karachi), and the Karachi Electric (K-Electric) for the city of Karachi and its surrounding areas. There are around 20 independent power producers that contribute significantly in electricity generation in Pakistan.
For years, the matter of balancing Pakistan’s supply against the demand for electricity has remained a largely unresolved matter. Pakistan faces a significant challenge in revamping its network responsible for the supply of electricity. Pakistan’s electricity producers are now seeking a parity in returns for both domestic and foreign investors which indicates it to be one of the key unresolved issues in overseeing a surge in electricity generation when the country faces growing shortages.
As of 2013 massive long-standing electricity shortages continued with long-standing failure to provide reliable service and rampant corruption being met by public protests, unauthorized connections, and refusal by consumers to pay for intermittent service. Electricity generation in Pakistan has shrunk by up to 50% in recent years due to an over-reliance on fossil fuels. In 2008, availability of power in Pakistan falls short of the population’s needs by 15% Pakistan was hit by its worst power crisis in 2007 when production fell by 6000 Megawatts and massive blackouts followed suit. Load Shedding and power blackouts have become severe in Pakistan in recent years. The main problem with Pakistan’s poor power generation is rising political instability, together with rising demands for power and lack of efficiency. Provincial and federal agencies, who are the largest consumers, often do not pay their bills. China, Central Asia and Iran have been offering to export electricity to Pakistan at subsidized rates but the government of Pakistan has not yet responded to the offers for unknown reasons. The country has begun diversifying its energy producing capacity by investing in wind and solar energy parks to help offset the energy shortage while larger projects such as the Diamer-Basha Dam and new nuclear plants are under construction.[
Installed capacity
- Electricity – total installed capacity: 22,797 MW (2014)
- Electricity – Sources (2014)
- fossil fuel – 14,635 MW – 64.2% of total(oil-35.2% + gas-29%)
- hydro – 6,611 MW – 29% of total
- nuclear – 1,322 MW – 5.8% of total
- average demand-17,000 MW
- shortfall-between 4,000 MW and 5,000 MW
There are four major power producers in country: WAPDA (Water & Power Development Authority), KESC (Karachi Electric Supply Company), IPPs (Independent Power Producers) and PAEC (Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission).
The break-up of the installed capacity of each of these power producers (as of Jan-2012) is as follows:
WAPDA Hydel
- Tarbela 3578 MW
- Mangla 1000 MW
- Ghazi – Barotha 1450 MW
- Warsak 243 MW
- Chashma 184 MW
- Dargai 20 MW
- Rasul 22 MW
- Shadi-Waal 13.5 MW
- Nandi pur 14 MW
- Kurram Garhi 4 MW
- Renala 1 MW
- Chitral 1 MW
- Jagran (AK) 30 MW
- Khankhwar 72 MW
- AllaiKhwar 121 MW
- Gomal Zam Dam 17 MW
- Jabban 22 MW
- Duber Khwar Dam 130 MW
- Total Hydel 6,823 MW
WAPDA Thermal
- Gas Turbine Power Station, Shahdra 59 MW
- Steam Power Station, Faisalabad 132 MW
- Gas Turbine Power Station, Faisalabad 244 MW
- Gas Power Station, Multan 195 MW
- Thermal Power Station, Muzaffargarh 1350 MW
- Thermal Power Station, Guddu 1655 MW
- Gas Turbine Power Station, Kotri 174 MW
- Thermal Power Station, Jamshoro 850 MW
- Thermal Power Station, Larkana 150 MW
- Thermal Power Station, Quetta 35 MW
- Gas Turbine Power Station, Panjgur 39 MW
- Thermal Power Station, Pasni 17 MW
- Total Thermal 4811 MW
WAPDA’s total hydel and thermal capacity is 11,272 MW. Hydel electricity generated by WAPDA varies between two extremities, i.e., between minimum of 2,414 MW and maximum of 6,761 MW depending upon the river flow.
Karachi Electric Supply Company
- Thermal Power Station, Korangi 316 MW
- Gas Turbine Power Station, Korangi 80 MW
- Gas Turbine Power Station, SITE 100 MW
- Thermal Power Station, Bin Qasim 1260 MW
KESC total generation capacity is 1756 MW.
Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
- Hub Power Project 1292 MW
- AES Lalpir Ltd, Mahmood Kot Muzaffargar 362 MW
- AES Pak Gen, Mahmood Kot Muzaffargar 365 MW
- Altern Energy Ltd, Attock 29 MW
- Fauji Kabirwala Power Company, Khanewal 157 MW
- Gul Ahmad Energy Ltd, Korangi 136 MW
- Habibullah Coastal Power Limited 140 MW
- Japan Power Generation, Lahore 120 MW
- Kohenoor Energy Limited, Lahore 131 MW
- Liberty Power Limited, Ghotki 232 MW
- Rousch Power, Khanewal 412 MW
- Saba Power Company, Sheikhupura 114 MW
- Southern Electric Power Company Limited, Raiwind 110 MW
- Tapal Energy Limited, Karachi 126 MW
- Uch Power Limited, Dera Murad Jamali, Nasirabad 586 MW
- Attock Gen Limited, Morgah Rawalpindi 165 MW
- Atlas Power, Sheikhupura 225 MW
- Engro Energy Limited, Karachi —– MW
- Kot Addu Power Company Limited (Privatized) 1638 MW
- Saif Power Plant Qadirabad, Sahiwal 225 MW
- Sitara Energy 80 MW
- Nishat Chunian Power 200 MW
- Nishat Power Limited 200 MW
Total generation capacity of IPPs is 7070 MW.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
- KANUPP 137 MW
- CHASNUPP-1 325 MW
- CHASNUPP-2 340 MW
Total electricity generated from PAEC is 802 MW.
The total power generation capacity of Pakistan is 21,143 MW and the electricity demand (as of April 2010) is 14,500 MW and PEPCO is merely generating 10,000 MW.
Electricity production
- Electricity – production: 88.42 TWh (2005)
- Electricity – production by source (2003)
- fossil fuel: 65% of total
- hydro: 31% of total
- nuclear: 4% of total
Electricity production Added Since 2008
- 2011
Chashma Nuclear Power Complex Chasnup-2 300 Mw 2011.
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
Solar Plant Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park 100m Mw 2015 with increase to 1000 Mw in 2016
Electricity consumption
- Electricity – consumption: 74.62 TWh (2004)
- Electricity – exports: 0%
- Electricity – imports: 0%
- Electricity Consumption per Capita = 430.183 kWh/capita (2006)
Effects of natural and man-made disasters
During 2010 Pakistan floods and 2008 Kashmir earthquake power stations, power distribution and transmission and other energy infrastructures were damaged. During the floods and rainfalls the recently constructed Jinnah hydroelectric power plant was flooded in addition to severe damages to transmission and distribution network and installations while several power plants and refineries were threatened by rising waters and had to be shut down. Natural gas field output had to be reduced as the flood waters approached the wells. There has also been some concern by Pakistani nuclear activists over the effect of natural disasters on nuclear plants specially over the Chashma Nuclear Power Complex, since the plant lies over a geological fault. Due to over reliance of Pakistan on dams for electricity generation. some environmental impacts of dams such as submergence of usable/ecological land and their negative impact on Pakistan’s mangrove forests due to loss of river silt load, as well as increased risk of severe floods have become evident.[
Life with the current load-shedding is becoming unbearable. There is no relief from the menacingly long spells of power outages is in sight. Cities and towns across the country are facing 14 to 18 hours of unscheduled load shedding and still failing to protest which goes to prove patience of the nation.
There is no plausible explanation from any quarter for the phenomenon. Some official sources say that many of the units are unable to generate power because of absence of gas and oil. Six power plants — Chashma, Orient, Saif, Sapphire, Hallmore and Rouche — had not been generating power for several weeks because of unavailability of gas and oil. Hydel production has dipped causing long hours of power outages in major parts of the country.
Pakistan needs 9500MW of electricity. It is presently facing a shortfall of more than 2500MW.
The industrial sector of any country always plays an instrumental role in not only earning foreign exchange but also in providing job opportunities but unfortunately long hours of load shedding has destroyed each and every thing.
In this age of severe competition when most countries are providing concessions and incentives to their industrial sectors, in Pakistan the picture is bleak because every day we face long hours of load shedding.
Pakistan has three sources of energy, namely hydel, thermal (gas/ steam/ furnace oil) and nuclear.
There are four major power producers in country: WAPDA (Water & Power Development Authority), KESC (Karachi Electric Supply Company), IPPs (Independent Power Producers) and PAEC (Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission).
The break-up of the installed capacity of each of these power producers (as of June-2008) is as follows:
WAPDA
WAPDA Hydel
Tarbela 3478MW
Mangla 1000MW
Ghazi–Barotha 1450MW
Warsak 243MW
Chashma 184MW
Dargai 20MW
Rasul 22MW
Shadi-Waal 18MW
Nandipur 14MW
KurramGarhi 4MW
Renala 1MW
Chitral MW
Jagran (AK) 30 MW
Total Hydel ==> 6,461 MW
WAPDA Thermal
Gas Turbine Power Station, Shahdra 59 MW
Steam Power Station, Faisalabad 132 MW
Gas Turbine Power Station, Faisalabad 244 MW
Gas Power Station, Multan 195 MW
Thermal Power Station, Muzaffargarh 1350 MW
Thermal Power Station, Guddu 1655 MW
Gas Turbine Power Station, Kotri 174 MW
Thermal Power Station, Jamshoro 850 MW
Thermal Power Station, Larkana 150 MW
Thermal Power Station, Quetta 35 MW
Gas Turbine Power Station, Panjgur 39 MW
Thermal Power Station, Pasni 17 MW
Total Thermal ==> 4811 MW
WAPDA’s Total Hydel + Thermal capacity is ==> 11,272 MW
Karachi Electric Supply Company
Thermal Power Station, Korangi 316 MW
Gas Turbine Power Station, Korangi 80 MW
Gas Turbine Power Station, SITE 100 MW
Thermal Power Station, Bin Qasim 1260 MW
Total (KESC) ==> 1756 MW
Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
Hub Power Project 1292 MW
AES Lalpir Ltd, Mahmood Kot Muzaffargar 362 MW
AES Pak Gen, Mahmood Kot Muzaffargar 365 MW
Altern Energy Ltd, Attock 29 MW
Fauji Kabirwala Power Company, Khanewal 157 MW
Gul Ahmad Energy Ltd, Korangi 136 MW
Habibullah Coastal Power Limited 140 MW
Japan Power Generation, Lahore 120 MW
Kohenoor Energy Limited, Lahore 131 MW
Liberty Power Limited, Ghotki 232 MW
Rousch Power, Khanewal 412 MW
Saba Power Company, Sheikhupura 114 MW
Southern Electric Power Company Limited, Raiwind 135 MW
Tapal Energy Limited, Karachi 126 MW
Uch Power Limited, Dera Murad Jamali, Nasirabad 586 MW
Attock Gen Limited, Morgah Rawalpindi 165 MW
Atlas Power, Sheikhupura 225 MW
Engro Energy Limited, Karachi —– MW
Kot Addu Power Company Limited (Privatized) 1638 MW
Total (IPPs) ===> 6365 MW
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
KANUPP 137 MW
CHASNUPP-1 325 MW
Total (Nuclear) ===> 462 MW
Hydel electricity generated by WAPDA varies between two extremities, i.e., between minimum of 2,414 MW and maximum of 6,761 MW depending upon the river flow.
Total Power Generation Capacity of Pakistan (including all sources) is 19,855 MW and the electricity demand (as of April 2010) is 14,500 MW and PEPCO is merely generating 10,000 MW.
So it is obvious that these 15-20 hrs power shutdowns in most parts of the country are not because of the lack of generation capacity but due to the incompetency of the present government.
The Power generation companies are not buying furnace oil from PSO by saying they don’t have money to do that but Pakistanis are all paying for electricity that is generated from furnace oil.
This is the reason that top refineries like PRL are operating at 40% of their capacities.
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