Islamabad (Urdu Point/Pakistan Point News – March 23, 2026) 1,320 MW power plant Sahiwal The coal-fired power plant ensured uninterrupted electricity supply throughout the holy month of Ramadan, meeting the sharp rise in national demand through close coordination between government authorities and the corporation.
From February 18 to March 20, millions of households across Pakistan They relied on constant strength to carry out religious and daily activities.
Ensuring stable electricity supplies during this period was vital to maintaining social harmony and supporting nationwide celebrations. But this year, the energy landscape has presented exceptional challenges.
Regional security tensions, fluctuations in international energy markets, and domestic logistical constraints, especially shortages of rail cars and low transportation efficiency, have placed significant pressure on the energy sector.
These difficulties were further exacerbated by higher than average temperatures and low rainfall in the northern regions, which led to a significant shortage in hydroelectric power generation, which widened the electricity supply gap. Against this background, the responsibility placed on thermal energy producers to maintain uninterrupted supplies has become increasingly crucial.
As a key pillar of the Pakistan National Grid and a flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the 1,320 MW Sahiwal Power Plant has risen to the occasion by immediately activating the comprehensive Ramadan Energy Guarantee Scheme.
Taking a leadership role, the plant coordinated across the entire operational chain, including fuel procurement, rail logistics, plant operations, and external stakeholder engagement, to ensure smooth and reliable performance.
To address key challenges of fuel supply, transportation and policy coordination, the plant has maintained close and ongoing engagement with key national stakeholders, including the National Grid Dispatch Centre, Central Power Procurement Agency and Pakistan Railways. Through targeted consultations and high-level coordination, the plant highlighted operational constraints and obtained key institutional support, enabling a unified and effective response.
At the same time, cooperation with industry partners has facilitated rapid handling of railcar spare parts, from port arrival and customs clearance to dispatch and on-site maintenance, contributing to continuous improvements in rail transportation capacity.
National institutions played a pivotal role in supporting these efforts. The National Grid Distribution Centre, which prioritizes system stability, has issued improved load distribution directives in line with the plant’s operational strengths and strategic location, strengthening its role as a cornerstone of grid reliability.
The Central Energy Procurement Agency ensured timely financial support for fuel purchase and continuity of operations. Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways, in coordination with its regional divisions, has prioritized coal transportation for the station, simplifying train schedule, alleviating wagon shortages, and creating a dedicated green corridor for efficient fuel movement.
During the holy month of Ramadan, four ships were successfully unloaded at the port, while 96 coal trains were dispatched and fully unloaded at the plant site, resulting in a total handling volume of 192,000 tons of coal. During the same period, the power plant produced approximately 660 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, with a peak per-unit load rate of 92 percent, reflecting strong operational performance under difficult conditions.
The station’s performance ensures stable and reliable electricity supply throughout the month of Ramadan, supporting families across Pakistan in celebrating the holy month with ease and continuity. He also stressed the effectiveness of coordinated action between public institutions and institutional stakeholders in addressing critical national challenges.
This achievement reflects not only the operational excellence and commitment of the Sahiwal Power Plant, but also the strong support from national institutions. Together they demonstrated a model of cooperative governance aimed at protecting the common good.
At the end of Ramadan, the Chinese and Pakistani workforce at the factory expressed their sincere appreciation to all supporting institutions and expressed their warm wishes to the people of Pakistan. Looking to the future, the 1,320 MW Sahiwal Power Plant remains committed to enhancing cooperation, enhancing generation capacity and continuing its role as a reliable energy partner, contributing to the country’s development, public welfare and the enduring partnership between Pakistan and China.