Pakistan has recorded a noticeable improvement in electricity supply following increased water releases from major dams, boosting Pakistan’s power generation through hydropower sources and easing pressure on the national grid.
According to officials from the Power Division, a sudden increase in water discharge from reservoirs has significantly enhanced hydropower output across the country. The move comes as part of operational adjustments aimed at managing both electricity demand and irrigation needs.
The Power Division spokesperson said water releases were raised from 8,000 cusecs to 30,000 cusecs overnight. This change added 2,300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid in a short time.
As a result, hydropower generation has increased sharply, rising from 1,800 megawatts to 4,100 megawatts. Officials said the increase has stabilized the electricity supply in several regions, especially central Pakistan, where demand is high.
Authorities confirmed that the improved water flow has reduced load management duration across the country. Earlier, outages lasted about six hours, but now they have been reduced to around 2.5 to 3 hours in most areas.
Officials linked the improvement to better water availability in dams and increased operational efficiency of hydropower stations. They said higher irrigation demand from agriculture may further support controlled water releases in coming days.
In addition, improved liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply has also contributed to easing pressure on thermal power plants. Combined with higher hydropower generation, this has helped stabilize overall electricity production.
Energy experts say Pakistan’s reliance on hydropower makes seasonal water flows a key factor in electricity availability. Any increase in dam discharge directly impacts national power generation levels.
Authorities expect the situation to remain stable in the short term if water availability and fuel supplies continue to improve. However, they caution that long-term stability still depends on energy sector reforms and infrastructure upgrades.
