Pakistan Power Crisis Deepens Amid LNG Supply Shortage

Pakistan faces an 11,000MW power shortfall as LNG shortages, plant outages and transmission issues strain supply, raising concerns over worsening outages.

Read more: Hydropower Boost Expected to Reduce Loadshedding

Pakistan is grappling with an electricity shortfall exceeding 11,000MW, driven by limited availability of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG), plant outages and transmission bottlenecks, according to official data.

Despite an installed capacity of დაახლოებით 46,000MW, effective operational capacity has dropped significantly, with actual supply hovering near 17,000MW. Officials say nearly 5,500MW remains idle due to the absence of LNG.

The crisis has intensified following shutdowns at key facilities, including the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project and reduced output from the Guddu Combined Cycle Power Plant.

A spokesperson for the Power Division said, “4,950MW of electricity was generated during peak hours through water releases,” noting that reduced provincial water demand has constrained hydropower output.

Transmission limitations have further strained the system, leaving around 400MW of surplus electricity in the south unable to reach demand centres in Punjab, worsening load shedding.

Authorities expect some relief once LNG supplies resume but warn that rising demand, seasonal pressures and infrastructure gaps could prolong the crisis.