KE’s industrial segment consumption hits record high in FY26

KARACHI: K-Electric’s (KE) industrial feeders’ consumption hit a record high at 6.08 billion units in FY26 as Pakistan’s GDP growth increased to 3.7 percent during the fiscal year, highlighting the utility’s role in powering Karachi, the country’s economic engine, through reliable and consistent electricity supply.

“This achievement cannot be viewed in isolation. It reflects the collective efforts of the Government of Pakistan, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and Karachi’s industrial community, whose continued support has helped foster a stable and conducive business environment for investment and economic growth,” said KE Chief Executive Officer Syed Muhammad Taha.

“Karachi remains central to Pakistan’s industrial and commercial progress. KE has provided industries with loadshed-exempted power supply since 2013, and we are committed to continuing our role in powering that growth through reliable and sustainable power.”

KE’s industrial feeders serve a wide variety of manufacturing and industrial units stretching across various zones that deploy 100 percent smart meters, enabling the businesses to monitor consumption on a real-time basis.

The highest consumption remained in the B3 category – industries deploying power between 501-5,000kW – that consists of units in the cement, steel, and textile sectors among others.

On a monthly basis, the highest industrial consumption was in the month of June 2026, followed by April 2026.

The highest yearly number was previously registered in FY22 when industrial consumption on grid stood at 5.84 billion units in tandem with GDP growth that also crossed 6 percent that fiscal year.

Since FY22, industrial consumption had remained moderate amid economic headwinds, but FY26 saw a substantial 20 percent year-on-year increase after 5.04 billion units were consumed in FY25. With the government’s incentive to move industries from captive to on-grid power, and rebound in GDP growth, industrial consumption has seen an increase.

KE also energised 349 new industrial connections while another 273 cases expanded their load, cumulatively adding 168MW of demand to the grid.

It is worth noting that industrial feeders/segment have had far better recovery rates across all customer categories, underscoring the importance of timely bill payments as one of the most important reasons behind loadshed exemption. KE understands that industries desire uninterrupted and reliable power supply.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026