‘Digitisation of power sector should focus on transmission’

Experts say out-of-the-box thinking required to escape energy dependency

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan’s power sector faces numerous challenges, from lack of infrastructure to energy dependency and affordability issues. To address these concerns, experts at a hybrid seminar held at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) in Islamabad emphasised the need for targeted investments and digitisation tailored to meet the needs of consumers.

Chairing the session, former federal secretary for water & power Ashfaq Mahmood highlighted the importance of effective resource management, thoughtful policy development, governance reforms, and innovation in system planning to achieve power security. He stressed that investments and digitisation must be focused on transmission rather than generation to ensure price affordability and accessibility for customers.

Speaking at the seminar, IPS Chairman, Khalid Rahman emphasised the need for out-of-the-box thinking and win-win solutions at the policy and practice level to escape the vicious cycle of energy dependency.

KElectric (KE) Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Sadia Dada insisted the power sector be focused on overcoming the country’s energy trilemma revolving around availability, accessibility, and affordability of electricity. She highlighted the importance of integrating new solutions and ensuring targeted investments to overcome these challenges.

Dada drew on the modelling of the power system undertaken by KE, stating that since privatisation, the company has made targeted investments of Rs474 billion, resulting in a doubling of its customer base, increased energy supplies, and reduced transmission and distribution losses. She added that KE plans to invest an additional Rs484 billion over the next seven years, adding 2,172 MW in generation capacity, including 1,182 MW of renewables, to its value chain.

Former GM at the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC), Salahuddin Rifai stressed the need for a consumer-oriented power sector and optimisation of costs to achieve affordability goals, while National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Registrar, Mazhar Ranjha emphasised the importance of systematic planning, including case studies on tariff indexation, investments, planning, and digital transformation to derive workable solutions.

Chairman of the IPS’ steering committee for energy, water and climate change, Mirza Hamid stated that power transmission must be made an investment priority area, along with energy transition and digitisation, to address the burden on consumers caused by the obsolete and less efficient power transmission system.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2023.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.