Power production in Pakistan touched an all-time high at 14,017 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in August 2018 on back of increased generation by imported gas and coal-fired plants.
The production was 10 percent higher than 12,754 GWh recorded in August 2017, according to data released by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra).
The latest data showed that 14,017 GWh was all-time high power generation level, Arif Habib Limited’s analyst, Rao Aamir Ali said.
This has eclipsed previous record high of 13,751 GWh achieved in July 2018.
A gradual increase in production from two relatively new fuel sources-imported liquefied natural gas and coal has continued to eat into share of oil-based power generation in total energy mix and has helped save billions of rupees every month in imports.
“Re-gasified LNG and coal have eaten the share of furnace oil,” analyst said. Combined share of re-gasified LNG and coal in power production reached 32 percent in August 2018 vis-à-vis 14 percent in August last year. On the other hand, share of furnace oil-based power generation dropped to 11.7 percent from 24.5 percent.
Published in Daily Times, September 26th 2018.
