National Power System records highest-ever generation in January

ISLAMABAD: The Power Division notes recent media coverage regarding electricity pricing and wishes to place on record the exceptional performance of the national power system in January 2026.

Despite challenging network and hydrological conditions, including canal closures, fog-induced transmission line trippings in northern and southern regions, and the cold wave, the system achieved its highest-ever January peak generation of 16,584 MW and an average generation of 12,239 MW.

Actual generation stood at 9,106 GWh against a reference projection of 7,962 GWh, surpassing the projection by approximately 14%. This represents a 13% increase over January 2025.

The month witnessed major generation constraints, including:

• K-3 forced outage of 1,040 MW
• Haveli Bahadur Shah (HBS) forced outage of 1,180 MW
• Partial and forced outage at Sahiwal Coal
• C-III refueling outage of 300 MW

Notwithstanding reduced baseload capacity and lean hydel availability, the national power system was operated with strict adherence to merit-order dispatch. Optimal use was made of available thermal resources, hydel generation was carefully managed within water limits, and transmission corridors were continuously monitored. Proactive security measures ensured grid stability and prevented any cascading failures or widespread load management.

The Power Division appreciates the resilience and professionalism demonstrated by system operators under these demanding conditions.

Commercial implications arising from the rebasing of reference in January 2026 may be obtained from CPPA-G.

At present, system demand is being met efficiently through hydel generation supported by improved water inflows, with only one RLNG-based plant in operation. No furnace oil-based generation has been used, including during the increased demand hours of Iftar, Taraweeh, and Sehr.

The Power Division remains committed to ensuring reliable and cost-effective power supply to all consumers.