Wateen, Nayatel Partner To Strengthen National Connectivity
January 21, 2026
Nepra has warned that Pakistan’s transmission system suffers from chronic overloading and underutilisation. Over half of grid transformers are operating beyond safe capacity, forcing reliance on expensive power generation.
Read more: Nationwide Forced Loadshedding As Power Shortfall Hits 4,000MW
Pakistan’s national transmission system is facing severe operational stress due to a damaging mix of overloading and underutilisation, the NEPRA – National Electric Power Regulatory Authority Authority (Nepra) has said. In a detailed review, the regulator noted that 116 out of 192 power transformers across 68 grid stations were operating beyond 80 per cent of their rated capacity during FY2024-25, particularly on the 500kV and 220kV backbone network.
Regions such as Hyderabad, Islamabad, Lahore and Multan were among the worst affected, with persistent congestion at key grid stations including Jamshoro, Matiari, Sheikhupura and Muzaffargarh. Nepra said these constraints force the system to rely on expensive power generation in violation of the economic merit order, raising electricity costs for consumers.
The regulator highlighted that up to 1,750MW of cheaper power is frequently curtailed due to transmission bottlenecks, especially along the south-to-north corridor. It also pointed to underutilisation of the 4,000MW Matiari–Lahore HVDC line, operating at just 35pc capacity.
Nepra urged fast-tracking delayed projects, upgrading substations, and improving grid monitoring systems to address long-standing inefficiencies and reduce financial losses.
