Electricity Consumers Are Growing — But the Slowdown + Rise of Solar Tells a Different Story.

Pakistan added 6.6 million new electricity consumers between 2020 and 2024 — a 22% increase. On the surface, this looks like progress. But a deeper look reveals a structural shift in the power sector.

Growth in Electricity Consumers (CPPA-G System: 2020–24)

1/ Households are still entering the grid — faster than population growth.

2/ But industrial, agricultural, and even commercial growth is slowing down.

3/ This suggests not just economic stagnation — but something more important:

4/ Is Solar Causing Silent Grid Exit?

Industrial and agricultural consumers — the ones who can afford it — are shifting to off-grid solar and net metering.

Farmers are switching to solar tube wells.

Textile and manufacturing units are moving to captive solar + battery solutions to escape rising tariffs and outages.

Result: Grid connections remain but consumption (and billing) drops — a silent form of energy exit.