DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Tuesday reviewed measures to ensure uninterrupted and affordable electricity supply to industrial units, with officials deciding to form a special committee to address energy and transmission issues affecting the sector.
The decisions were taken at a meeting jointly chaired by Minister for Energy and Power Nazir Ahmad Abbasi and Chief Minister’s Adviser on Industries and Commerce Humayun Khan at PEDO House in Peshawar. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the energy and industries departments, the Economic Zones Development and Management Company (EZDMC), the Small Industries Development Board (SIDB), the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and PEDO.
Participants reviewed issues relating to electricity supply to industrial estates, transmission infrastructure, future energy requirements and measures needed to facilitate industrial growth.
The meeting also discussed direct electricity supply to industrial areas, energy wheeling under the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM), alternative arrangements for industrial zones without access to the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) grid, construction of new transmission lines and the identification of suitable sites for future industrial estates. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Abbasi and Mr Humayun said reliable and affordable electricity was essential for industrial development, investment, exports and job creation.
They directed the relevant departments to prepare comprehensive proposals for resolving electricity and transmission issues, set clear implementation timelines and ensure that all projects were completed within the stipulated period.
The meeting decided to constitute a special committee comprising representatives of the relevant departments to finalise technical, administrative and policy recommendations for submission to the provincial government.
It was also decided that the Board of Investment, PEDO and the departments concerned would jointly prepare a strategy for establishing new industrial estates, selecting suitable sites, strengthening transmission infrastructure and ensuring timely electricity supply to facilitate investors.
The participants also agreed to take up issues falling within the federal government’s jurisdiction with the Centre to remove obstacles to industrial growth and promote economic activity in the province.
