Pakistan recorded 8,488 gigawatt-hours of power generation in December 2025, marking a nine per cent increase compared to the same month last year, according to data released by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra).

Output in December also saw an increase of 5pc compared with November levels, but remained well below the peaks recorded in the summer months of last year.

The average cost of electricity generation climbed to Rs9.6 per kilowatt-hour in December, up 2pc from the same month last year and 56pc higher than November.

JS Research attributes this increase to a decline in hydropower generation in December. Hydropower generation fell 51pc in the month compared to November. Hydropower contributed 18pc to the energy mix during the month, forcing reliance on more expensive thermal sources. These patterns are expected during the winter months.

December’s electricity generation mix was dominated by coal (24pc) and nuclear (25pc), followed by RLNG (17pc). Coal generation saw an increase of 125pc compared to the same month last year, while nuclear output posted modest growth of 3pc.

The data shows the government’s shift away from furnace oil, traditionally the most expensive source of power generation. Furthermore, renewable sources, including wind, solar, and bagasse, accounted for 1.9pc, 0.9pc, and 1.1pc of the total mix, indicating limited penetration of clean energy in the national grid.