Electricity in Pakistan in 2023/2024

Over the past year, from August 2023 to July 2024, Pakistan's electricity consumption has been split between low-carbon and fossil energy sources. Low-carbon sources accounted for 54% of the electricity, while fossil energy made up the remaining 46%. Hydropower, a significant contributor to clean energy, produced over 31% of the electricity. Nuclear energy also played a notable role, providing about 18%. Wind energy, though contributing a smaller share, generated just over 3%. In contrast, gas and coal, the main fossil fuels, produced 28% and 16% of the electricity, respectively, indicating that clean energy sources are slightly more dominant in Pakistan's energy mix.

Suggestions

Pakistan has several pathways to expand its low-carbon electricity generation. One effective strategy is to build upon its existing nuclear infrastructure, which is already a significant part of the electricity mix at 18%. Looking at examples from other countries, Pakistan can draw inspiration from nations like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy accounts for 67% and 60% of their electricity, respectively. Similarly, Ukraine derives 55% of its power from nuclear sources. For wind energy, following the footsteps of Denmark, which gets an impressive 61% of its electricity from wind, or Uruguay with 36%, can offer valuable insights for bolstering its wind energy sector. These examples show that targeted investments and policy support can substantially increase the share of low-carbon electricity.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Pakistan shows various trends and significant developments over the decades. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, hydropower saw growth with notable increases such as 3.9 TWh in 1987 and 2.8 TWh in 1992, followed by some declines in the late 1990s, including a decrease of 3.2 TWh in 1999. The early 2000s marked a resurgence with considerable increases in hydropower generation, culminating in a rise of 5.2 TWh in 2005. The 2010s witnessed fluctuations, but a significant milestone was achieved in 2017 with the addition of 2.7 TWh from nuclear energy. More recently, there have been considerable strides in nuclear power with an increase of 6.1 TWh in 2021 and another 6.5 TWh in 2022. Hydropower also saw a rebound in 2023 with a rise of 3.3 TWh, reinforcing the commitment to clean energy sources.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources