Surplus Power Package boosts electricity demand, cuts costs for businesses, says govt

The government’s Surplus Power Package has led to a significant increase in electricity demand, with industrial and agricultural sectors consuming an additional 2,164 GWh over just three months—from December 2025 to February 2026.

In an official statement released on Friday, the information ministry said that industries alone saved a total of Rs19.6 billion, while agricultural consumers saved Rs1.14 billion, bringing cumulative financial relief to Rs20.83 billion.

“Among industrial categories, B3 consumers saved the most at Rs8.76 billion, followed by B2 at Rs5.34 billion, B4 at Rs4.02 billion, and B1 at Rs1.48 billion,” the ministry said.

Among industrial categories, B3 consumers saved the most at Rs8.76 billion, followed by B2 at Rs5.34 billion, B4 at Rs4.02 billion, and B1 at Rs1.48 billion.”

Launched in December 2025, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s special initiative to provide relief and support to the country’s industry and agriculture sector, the surplus electricity package was introduced with the lowest rate of Rs22.98 per unit on incremental usage.

This accounts for 23% of all units sold to these sectors during this period.

The package was launched as a targeted initiative to boost electricity consumption, optimise available generation capacity, and provide financial relief to industrial and agricultural consumers for a longer period.

Meanwhile, the ministry said that an impressive number of consumers benefited from the package, with 67% of B4 large industries (83 out of 123), 52% of B3 (1,812 out of 3,470), 48% of B2 (33,449 out of 69,124), and 43% of B1 industries (98,718 out of 229,282) availing the package, along with 34% of agricultural consumers (82,334 out of 242,451).

The statement further said that in terms of energy consumption share under the package, B1 industries led at 27%, followed by B4 at 25%, B2 at 24%, B3 at 22%, and agriculture at 21%.

“The most exciting signs of success came in January 2026 with 12% year-on-year growth and February 2026 with 11% growth, clearly showing that the package has increased electricity demand and encouraged industries to rely more on cost-effective grid power instead of expensive self-generation.”