K-P decides to set up own power company

Transmission and distribution firm will work on PESCO model

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has decided in principle to establish its own power transmission and distribution company on the model of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) and has submitted a proposal with National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).

The decision came during a meeting of the Board of Directors of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO).  high level meeting was held here under the Chairman PEDO in Peshawar on Tuesday.

The meeting chaired by PEDO Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan decided to refer the matter about establishing own transmission and power distribution system to the technical committee for thorough deliberations.

According to the details the province is likely to add 74 megawatt electricity to the national grid from the four hydropower projects being completed during the current year which will enhance revenue receipts of the province by Rs1.9 billion annually.

The board was informed that 36.6MW from Daral Khwar, 17MW from Ranulia, 18 MW from Pehur project and 2.6MW from Machai hydel power stations would be added to the national grid during the current year.

The process to sale out 18MW electricity to be generated from Pehur Hydel Power Station to the industrial sector on cheaper rates was underway. The meeting thoroughly debated administrative matters of the PEDO and decided to form a special committee to submit its report in a month time to the Board. The Board approved annual budget of the PEDO.

The members expressed anguish over inordinate delay in presentation of annual audit report of the organization and directed submission of the same by August this year.

The board also approved the process for appointment of permanent CEO for the PEDO on urgent basis. Secretary Energy Engr Sarfraz Durrani, Additional Secretary Revenue AKhtar Saeed Turk, Deputy Secretary Home Akmal Khattak and CEO PEDO Enger Bahadar Shah, and members Fawad Ishaq, Arbab Khudadad, Musavir Shah, Abdul Siddique, Dr.Hassan Nasir and GM Hydel Engr Zahid Akhtar Sabri were in attendance.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2019.