ISLAMABAD
\nFederal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Monday held meetings with senior delegations of the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to discuss strategies for strengthening Pakistan\u2019s energy sector with a focus on sustainability and efficiency.
\nA World Bank delegation led by Ousmane Dione, Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan Region, called on the minister, while Dr. Rami Ahmad, Vice President (Operations) of the Islamic Development Bank, also met him to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation in energy development initiatives, said a press release.
\nWelcoming the World Bank delegation, the minister expressed gratitude for its historical support in development projects. He referenced his recent visit to the World Bank\u2019s headquarters, which highlighted the ongoing need for robust partnerships to address energy challenges effectively.
\nDuring the discussions, the World Bank team emphasized the value of reliable and affordable energy systems. Dr. Rami Ahmad from the Islamic Development Bank outlined opportunities for joint initiatives in promoting sustainable energy practices.
\nThe Minister reaffirmed his dedication to reinforcing the power sector through targeted reforms. He outlined current initiatives that span generation, transmission, and distribution. These include the integrated development of expansion plans for generation and transmission. The government has excluded costly power plants from IGCEP of approximately 8,000 MW in capacity which translates savings of around USD 17 billion from future expenses to be borne by the consumers.
\nFurther enhancements involve resolving inefficiencies in distribution companies, which have resulted in improvements worth Rs197 billion. Circular debt has been reduced by Rs 780 billion, and imported coal plants are being converted to use local Thar coal. Transmission bottlenecks are also being addressed, alongside a comprehensive review to achieve full implementation of automated metering.
\nTo stimulate demand and rationalize tariffs, the minister highlighted incentive packages for industrial and agricultural consumers, which aim to boost usage. Captive power facilities are transitioning to the national grid to improve overall efficiency. Tariff incentives for EVs are designed to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, supporting environmental goals and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Net metering regulations are being refined for better equity.
\nIn terms of market and governance reforms, the wholesale electricity market is being liberalized to foster competition. Energy planning is gaining a more institutionalized structure, with a five-year national electricity plan now in effect. Key institutions, such as the national grid company, system operator, and private power board, are undergoing restructuring for enhanced performance. PPMC, a technical unit within the Ministry, provides analytical support and monitors reform progress, while IT tools are being deployed to facilitate consumer services and strengthen oversight.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Monday held meetings with senior delegations of the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to discuss strategies for strengthening Pakistan\u2019s energy sector with a focus on sustainability and efficiency. A World Bank delegation led by Ousmane Dione, Vice President for the Middle […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":409737,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-526569","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n