2,164GWh consumed under surplus power package

The government's surplus power package has triggered a considerable surge in electricity demand from industrial and agricultural sectors, which have consumed a massive 2,164 gigawatt hours (GWh) of additional electricity in just three months – from December 2025 to February 2026. The Ministry of Energy (Power Division), in a statement, said that under the special initiative to provide relief and support for the country's industries and agriculture sector, the surplus electricity package had been introduced at the lowest tariff rate of Rs22.98 per unit on incremental consumption. "This accounts for 23% of all units sold to these sectors during the three-month period, proving that the package has triggered a strong growth in energy demand," it said. Industries saved 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 largest amount of Rs8.76 billion, followed by B2 consumers, who saved Rs5.34 billion, B4 consumers – Rs4.02 billion and B1 consumers – Rs1.48 billion. The number of consumers taking benefit from the package has been impressive, with 67% of large B4 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 (98,718 out of 229,282) availing the incentive, along with 34% of agricultural consumers (82,334 out of 242,451). In terms of individual shares in energy consumption under the package, B1 industries led with 27%, followed by B4 at 25%, B2 at 24%, B3 at 22% and agriculture at 21%. January 2026 saw a 12% year-on-year growth while in February consumption rose 11%, "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". "This rising demand is a strong and positive indicator for the country's economic recovery and energy sector stability," the Power Division remarked. The surplus power package was launched in December 2025 by the Power Division as a targeted initiative to boost electricity consumption, optimise the available generation capacity and provide financial relief for industrial and agricultural consumers over a longer period.