Pakistan, June 10 -- ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's electricity capacity has reached 46,605 megawatts (MW), but falling power usage is driving up idle costs. According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, capacity rose by 1.6% this fiscal year. The boost came mainly from net metering, which added 2,813 MW. However, this increase has raised capacity payments to between Rs2.5 and Rs2.8 trillion. These are payments made for unused electricity-costs that consumers must still pay.

To cut these rising expenses, the government ended power purchase deals with several private producers from October 2024. Plants owned by HUBCO, Lalpir, Pakgen, Rousch, Saba, and Atlas Power are among those affected. Still, 55.7% of the country's power comes from thermal sources...