WB stresses need to implement NEECA Act 2016

Expresses concerns over unavailability of energy sector data

LAHORE: The World Bank has expressed serious concerns over the non-availability of energy sector data and specific pattern for standard energy consumption, stressing the need for implementation of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) Act 2016.

The act was formulated but was not implemented in any field, upon which the Ministry of Power assured the World Bank of its implementation.

According to details, in order to control the energy crisis in Pakistan, the World Bank had devised an Energy Efficient Roadmap Programme envisaging making from energy production to its consumption standard for which NEECA was established through an act in 2016.



However, no work regarding saving electricity, its production as well as manufacturing electronic products has not been completed in three years under this act.

There is even no data on the demand and supply of electricity and guesswork is going on.

Sources said, “The NEECA was formed, but till date the head of the authority has not been elected. How can the rules of an institution be implemented when it lacks a chief.”

The sources termed this as the reason for institutions like Pepco, NTDC, WAPDA, Lesco, Fesco, Gepco and other distribution companies not being able to implement the NEECA Act.

“None of the companies have worked on any of the methods to conserve and consume energy through efficient electronic products. The work on conserving energy is limited to only advertisements. Several companies producing major electronic equipment have not even had an audit.”



Even today the markets of the country, including the ones in Lahore, are filled with substandard electronic products, which consume more energy than is required and lay to waste all efforts made to conserve electricity.

Keeping in view this point, the World Bank stressed the need to take steps according to the NEECA Act in the energy sector as well as all the fields related to the economy.

According to the sources, the power ministry assured the World Bank of immediate implementation of the NEECA Act, saying legal action would be taken against those violating the act.

An official of the power ministry said very soon a NEECA chief would be appointed as the interview process for the post has been completed. The act has been formulated so that it could be implemented and work would start as soon as the NEECA chief is appointed.