LAHORE: Punjab’s energy sector has undergone a substantial transformation over the past five decades, with significant growth in electricity demand, connections, and revenues. This expansion has been driven by economic growth, industrial development, and increased household electrification, according to Gilani Research Foundation.

The data, sourced from the Bureau of Statistics and analyzed by Gallup Pakistan’s Big Data series, reveals that electricity consumers in Punjab increased from 924,000 in the early 1970s to approximately 24.6 million by 2020-21. This surge reflects widespread electrification and the modernization of the provincial electricity network. Over the same period, electricity demand rose nearly twenty-five times, from 3,052 million kWh to 76,185 million kWh.

Natural gas consumption also expanded more than eleven-fold, with households showing notable increases, indicating a shift in usage patterns. Meanwhile, electricity revenues grew from Rs. 448 million to over Rs. 1.4 trillion, underscoring the sector’s growing economic importance.

The structural shift in energy consumption patterns is evident, with household consumers now accounting for nearly 87% of all electricity connections, up from approximately 72.5% in the 1970s. This change highlights the expansion of residential electrification and a shift away from industrial and commercial usage.

The findings from Gallup Pakistan underscore the rapid infrastructure expansion, which has largely kept pace with growing demand, particularly as new electricity connections increased over 2,100% during the study period. The data also illustrates the broader structural transformations within Punjab, marked by urbanization, industrialization, and rising living standards, with energy infrastructure playing a crucial role in the province’s economic development.