NEPRA, experts discuss CTBCM model

Implementation will create competitive environment in power sector

ISLAMABAD:

The power regulator said on Tuesday that the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM) would be a game changer for the power industry of Pakistan.

During a webinar on CTBCM, a large number of renowned national and international experts and stakeholders of the electric power sector shared their views on the subject. Shedding light on the CTBCM model, Nepra Chairman Tauseef H Farooqi said Nepra had approved a detailed design and implementation plan for CTBCM that would create a competitive environment in the power sector for the benefit of the country.

He said that in order to fully understand the implementation plan, the webinar was arranged to disseminate information and develop understanding among different stakeholders on the wholesale electricity market as well as to inform participants about power sector reforms, challenges and objectives.

Nepra’s expat consultant on CTBCM Beatriz Arizo explained in detail how the global electricity markets operated and shared her insights into the comparison between different countries and Pakistan’s power sector.

However, there are several issues that may create bottlenecks in the way of implementing the CTBCM model.

Many questions were raised during the webinar. They included the chronic financial challenges the power sector was facing and were largely attributable to theft, low ratio of recoveries, tariff issues, and outstanding dues.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2020.

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