Manufacturing sector records the strongest growth in electricity demand as industry accounts for nearly one-third of national power consumption.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s industrial sector emerged as the fastest-growing consumer of electricity during FY2025-26, with its share in total power consumption rising to 31.52%, while the household sector’s share declined below 48%, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26.
The latest survey points to a notable shift in electricity consumption towards productive sectors, reflecting stronger industrial activity and higher manufacturing demand during the fiscal year.
Total electricity consumption increases
According to the survey, Pakistan’s total electricity consumption reached 83,143 gigawatt-hours (GWh) during FY2025-26, compared with 80,111 GWh in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, representing an increase of 3.8%.
Household sector remains the largest consumer
Despite a decline in its overall share, the household sector continued to account for the largest proportion of electricity consumption.
Electricity consumption by sector
• Household: 39,472 GWh (47.48%), down from 39,730 GWh (49.6%)
• Commercial: 7,044 GWh (8.47%), up from 6,895 GWh (8.6%)
• Industry: 26,205 GWh (31.52%), up from 21,083 GWh (26.3%)
• Agriculture: 2,636 GWh (3.17%), down from 4,566 GWh (5.7%)
• Others: 7,785 GWh (9.36%), compared with 7,837 GWh (9.8%)
Household electricity consumption stood at 39,472 GWh, accounting for 47.48% of total electricity consumption during FY2025-26, compared with 49.6% in the previous fiscal year.
Industrial demand records strongest growth
The industrial sector posted the most significant increase in electricity consumption during the fiscal year.
Industrial electricity usage climbed from 21,083 GWh to 26,205 GWh, while its share in total electricity consumption increased from 26.3% to 31.52%.
The strong growth indicates increased manufacturing activity and higher electricity demand from industrial consumers, highlighting the sector’s expanding contribution to the economy.
Commercial electricity consumption edges higher
Electricity consumption by the commercial sector rose modestly to 7,044 GWh from 6,895 GWh a year earlier.
However, its share in total electricity consumption remained broadly stable, easing slightly from 8.6% to 8.47%.
Agriculture records steep decline
The agriculture sector experienced the sharpest decline among the major electricity-consuming sectors.
Power consumption in agriculture dropped to 2,636 GWh from 4,566 GWh, reducing its share of national electricity consumption from 5.7% to 3.17%.
Meanwhile, electricity consumption under the “Others” category remained broadly unchanged at 7,785 GWh, accounting for 9.36% of total electricity usage.
Electricity demand shifts towards productive sectors
The Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26 suggests that although households remained the largest consumers of electricity, the industrial sector substantially expanded its share of national power demand during the fiscal year.
The changing consumption pattern reflects stronger industrial production and growing demand from manufacturing, while the relative contribution of household and agricultural consumers declined. The trend signals an increasing shift in electricity usage towards productive economic activities, supporting industrial growth and broader economic recovery.