CCOE okays import of Euro-V compliant products

Sets minimum efficiency benchmarks for captive power plants

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) on Thursday approved the petroleum division’s proposals for making imports of diesel and petrol compliant with Euro-V standard and tasked Ogra and the OCAD to work together to thrash out a detailed mechanism in this regard.

A CCOE meeting, chaired by Planning Minister Asad Umar, also approved the minimum efficiency benchmarks for captive power plants and directed that the effects of Covid-19 situation might also be taken into account while setting deadlines for modernisation and upgradation of the units.

The meeting was attended by Information Minister Shibli Faraz, Energy Minister Omar Ayub Khan, Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed, Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, SAPM on Mineral Resources Shahzad Qasim, and official of various divisions, Nepra and NTDC.

The meeting approved the proposals of the energy ministry’s petroleum division to make imports of diesel and petrol compliant with Euro-V standard, as these products would have a reduced environmental impact due to lesser sulfur content as well as lower emissions.

This decision would help reduce the pollution levels, especially the smog problem faced in the plains of Pakistan during winters. The petroleum division would work with the inland refineries to make them compliant with the Euro-V standard by the end of this year.

The CCOE decided to set August 1, 2020 as the deadline by which all the OMCs would ensure import of Euro-V compliant petrol only. It agreed to make the imports of diesel compliant with Euro-V specification from January 2021 based on availability of supplies. OGRA and OCAD would work together to eke out the detailed mechanism in this regard.

The CCOE also approved the minimum efficiency benchmarks for captive power plants. The petroleum division in its summary had submitted the proposals to set minimum efficiency benchmarks for captive power units whether in single cycle or combined cycle, using natural gas as a primary fuel.

The CCOE approved the proposals with the direction that the effect of Covid-19 situation might also be taken into account, while setting the deadlines for modernisation/upgradation of the units.

The CCOE also took stock of the possible supply and demand situation of electricity in Karachi and measures to address any shortfall in the future. The meeting directed the power division to maintain regular liaison with the K-Electric regarding Karachi’s future power requirements.