Wind power curtailed as grid demand swings by 7,019 MW, ISMO explains system balancing
ISLAMABAD: The Independent Market and System Operator (ISMO) has issued a clarification after media reports on wind power curtailment.
The operator said electricity demand in the national grid now shifts between 7,000 and 16,000 megawatts (MW) during the day, forcing system managers to adjust power generation to maintain grid balance.
In a press statement, ISMO said curtailment of wind power is not a discretionary action. The operator stated that its legal responsibility is to maintain a real-time balance between electricity supply and demand across the national power network.
ISMO explained that it manages power generation from all sources, including hydro, thermal, nuclear, wind and solar plants. The operation of these plants follows the national Grid Code as well as agreements signed with power producers under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Energy Purchase Agreements (EPAs).
According to the statement, electricity demand patterns have changed in recent years due to the growth of rooftop solar systems. Solar generation during daytime hours reduces demand on the grid, while electricity demand increases during evening hours when solar output drops.
As a result, daytime demand can fall to 7,000–8,000 MW, while evening demand rises above 16,000 MW. To maintain stability under these conditions, all power plants are required to reduce generation to their technical minimum levels during low demand periods.
ISMO said wind power plants are treated the same as other generation sources when such adjustments are made. These actions are permitted under the Grid Code and the contractual arrangements governing power producers.
Data from January 2026 shows the scale of demand variation in a single day. The system recorded a minimum load of 8,650 MW at 1:00 PM and a maximum load of 15,669 MW at 6:00 PM, creating an intra-day variation of 7,019 MW. ISMO said these variations require constant adjustments to ensure stable network operations.
The operator also noted that wind power projects are protected financially through the Non-Project Missed Volume (NPMV) mechanism in their Energy Purchase Agreements. This system compensates generators when energy cannot be dispatched due to grid limitations.
ISMO said steps have been taken to increase the system’s ability to transmit wind power. These steps include new grid infrastructure such as the 500 kV KKI grid station, expanded power import capability from the national grid to Karachi Electric, improved wind forecasting and greater use of the HVDC-AC transmission corridor. The 500 kV Lahore North grid station has also been commissioned to support the network.
According to the operator, these measures have improved wind power utilization. The average use of available wind generation increased from 56 percent in 2023 to 62 percent in 2024, and reached 75 percent in 2025.
ISMO said further steps are being planned to address daytime demand reduction, often referred to as the “duck curve.” These measures include industrial demand packages and plans to install battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the national grid.
The operator said it will continue working to integrate renewable energy while maintaining stable power system operations.
ISMO is a state-owned organization established by the Government of Pakistan. The institution performs three main functions: system operations, long-term generation and transmission planning, and management of the competitive electricity market. APP
