Zubair Yaqoob
Karachi
Power generation remained 7,794 GWh (10,475 MW) during the month Jan ‘20, compared to 7,764 GWh (10,435 MW) during Jan’19. Major contributors during Jan’20 remained Coal, Gas, RLNG, Hydel, FO and Nuclear. Hydel based power generation went up by 82% YoY followed by 72% YoY rise in coal-based generation.
However, FO, Nuclear, RLNG and Gas based generation went down by 54% YoY, 25% YoY, 16% YoY and 3% YoY, respectively. Fuel cost for power generation went down by 18% YoY to PKR 5.99/KWh on the back of higher generation on hydel and coal. During 7MFY20, power generation went up by 1.8% YoY to settle at 74,261 GWh.
Given higher generation on hydel and coal, fuel costs have shrunk by 8.5% YoY to average at PKR 4.99/KWh during 7MFY20. Coal-based generation was witnessed at 2,501GWh during Jan’20. Induction of China Power Hub Generation and Engro Powergen Thar in the system was the primary reason behind this surge.
The decline in fuel cost was led by the following reasons: Coal-based generation cost witnessed a decline of 12.4% YoY attributable to 6.3% YoY decline in international coal prices. FO-based generation cost witnessed a decline of 1.1% YoY, while FO-based generation also went down by 54% to 801 GWh.
FO is relatively expensive source of power generation compared with coal. Hydel-based (no fuel cost) power generation witnessed an increase of 82% YoY to 868 GWh. Bagasse-based cost of generation went down by 3.3% YoY to PKR 6.0/KWh. Wind-based power generation went up by 0.8% YoY to 158 GWh. Solar-based power generation also went up by 3.8% YoY to 45 GWh.
