Power Minister Explains Why Pakistan is Less Vulnerable to Global LNG Crisis

Pakistan’s growing reliance on domestic energy sources such as solar, wind, nuclear, hydropower and local coal has significantly reduced its vulnerability to global LNG supply disruptions, Power Minister Awais Leghari said.

In comments to Reuters, the minister said about 74 percent of Pakistan’s electricity generation now comes from local sources, which has strengthened the country’s energy security.

Leghari said the government aims to raise the share of locally produced electricity to more than 96 percent by 2034. He credited renewable energy, nuclear generation, hydropower projects, domestic coal development, and the recent solar boom for improving the country’s energy independence.

According to the minister, LNG now accounts for about 10 percent of Pakistan’s electricity generation and is mainly used to meet evening demand peaks and stabilize the grid. Even if LNG supplies were disrupted or became too expensive, the overall impact on industry or agriculture would likely remain limited.

Leghari warned that prolonged disruptions could still create temporary shortages during peak summer months when electricity demand rises sharply due to air conditioning. In a worst case scenario where LNG cargoes stop for several months, Pakistan could face one to two hours of load shedding during evening peaks.

The minister added that the government’s energy policy for the next six to eight years will focus mainly on indigenous and clean power sources.

Currently, about 55 percent of Pakistan’s electricity generation comes from clean energy. Hydropower currently produces about 40 terawatt hours of electricity annually,  nuclear power 22 terawatt hours and domestic coal 12 terawatt hours.

Rooftop solar capacity has also surged to more than 20 gigawatts across the country.

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