Over the past year, from September 2024 to August 2025, Pakistan's electricity consumption has leaned significantly toward low-carbon sources. More than half of the electricity consumed comes from low-carbon sources, amounting to roughly 62%. This is primarily driven by hydropower, which accounts for almost 26%, followed by solar energy at around 19% and nuclear energy at approximately 14%. Wind power contributes a smaller portion, close to 3%. On the other hand, fossil fuel sources, including gas and coal, make up about 38% of electricity consumption, with gas at a little over 21% and coal close to 16%. This distribution indicates a robust commitment to clean energy, although there's room for reducing reliance on fossil fuels further.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Pakistan?
Unfortunately, overall electricity consumption in Pakistan has experienced a decline, raising concerns. In 2025, the average electricity consumption stood at 608 kWh per person, marking a decrease from the 2023 record of 728 kWh per person. This reduction of 120 kWh per person signifies a worrying trend amid an era where energy demand is expected to rise. Conversely, there is some positive news on the clean energy front. The latest figures show that low-carbon electricity generation reached 379 kWh per person, surpassing the previous record of 338 kWh per person in 2024 by 42 kWh. Despite broader consumption trends, this increase in low-carbon energy generation showcases Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to expand sustainable electricity sources.
Suggestions
To further enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Pakistan should focus on expanding nuclear and solar energy. Based on global examples, regions like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy contributes over 60%, could serve as valuable models. Similarly, countries with significant solar achievements, such as Lebanon and Nevada in the US, which generate around 30% from solar, demonstrate the potential of this clean technology. Learning from these regions and investing in both nuclear and solar energy can position Pakistan as a leader in sustainable electricity generation while reducing fossil fuel dependency and combating climate change.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Pakistan reflects numerous milestones and some challenges over the decades. In the early 1990s, hydropower strongly contributed to the electricity mix, with significant increases in 1992 and 1994, although there were notable declines in subsequent years such as 1999 and 2017. The early 2000s saw a return to growth in hydropower, peaking in 2005. The past decade has witnessed substantial growth in nuclear energy, particularly from 2017 onwards, alongside a burgeoning solar sector that has rapidly expanded since 2021. The addition of solar capacity culminated in 2025 with an increase of over 11 TWh. This rich history depicts Pakistan's active transition toward low-carbon sources, underscored by the recent expansion in solar and nuclear energy generation, and highlights the potential for significant improvements moving forward.
