Electricity generation costs in Pakistan vary sharply between public hydel projects and private power producers, according to documents presented in the Senate.
The data shows WAPDA dams producing electricity at some of the lowest rates. Meanwhile, several private independent power producers (IPPs) generate power at costs exceeding Rs. 30 per unit.
WAPDA Receives Rs. 186 Billion for Hydel Power
According to the documents, the government paid Rs. 186 billion to WAPDA for 34.5 billion units of electricity during the period under review.
In comparison, private IPPs received Rs. 1.04 trillion for supplying 49.8 billion units.
The documents also revealed that the government paid more than Rs. 1.3 trillion in capacity charges to IPPs during the current fiscal year.
These figures highlight the significant differences between generation costs and payments across Pakistan’s power sector.
Tarbela Produces Cheapest Electricity
The Tarbela Hydel Power Project emerged as the cheapest source among the plants listed in the documents.
Tarbela generated electricity at just Rs. 2.70 per unit. Meanwhile, the Mangla Hydel Power Project produced power at Rs. 3.75 per unit.
Across all listed dams, the average generation cost stood at Rs. 5.39 per unit.
Nuclear Power Costs Rs. 6.76 Per Unit
The Chashma Nuclear Power Plant generated electricity at Rs. 6.76 per unit, according to the Senate documents.
Power generated using domestic Thar coal cost significantly more. The reported generation cost stood at Rs. 19.03 per unit.
However, plants using imported coal recorded even higher costs.
The Sahiwal Coal Power Plant generated electricity at Rs. 34.17 per unit, making it the most expensive source among those listed.
Meanwhile, electricity from the Port Qasim power plant cost Rs. 32.16 per unit.
The figures presented in the Senate provide a snapshot of the wide cost differences across Pakistan’s electricity generation system, particularly between hydel projects and several thermal power plants.
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