Talks on electricity wheeling auctions begin

The Power Division on Friday began consultations on upcoming wheeling auctions to allocate 800 megawatts of electricity generated by private producers.

The Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) organised a stakeholder workshop in Islamabad on the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contracts Market (CTBCM) and Wheeling Auctions Framework.

The initiative, based on global best practices, aims to make Pakistan's power sector more transparent, efficient and competitive while ensuring affordable and reliable electricity for consumers.

Speaking at the opening session, Federal Minister for Power Division Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari underscored the government's commitment to sector-specific reforms. He noted that CTBCM would not only attract new investments but would also help integrate renewable energy, empower industrial consumers through wheeling arrangements – where private producers sell electricity to buyers elsewhere through the national grid – and improve overall governance of the power sector.

He emphasised that the upcoming wheeling auctions would transparently allocate 800MW of power demand to market participants. This initiative will open the door for industrial and bulk consumers to directly procure electricity at competitive rates, helping reduce costs, improve reliability and strengthen Pakistan's industrial competitiveness.

ISMO officials presented key details of CTBCM by highlighting processes for market participant registration, contract registration, capacity obligations and the handling of imbalances and marginal prices. The workshop also shed light on amendments to supplier rules, the National Electricity Plan and detailed auction guidelines to ensure fair competition.

Interactive Q&A sessions allowed participants to directly engage with ISMO officials and other experts to discuss technical and regulatory aspects.

A panel discussion on "CTBCM – Opportunities and Challenges" brought together regulators, power sector professionals and consumer representatives to deliberate on issues including technological advancements in wheeling, bulk power consumer requirements, opportunities for export industries and mechanisms to ensure transparency.

The workshop provided equal opportunity for all stakeholders to share their perspectives, reinforcing ISMO's commitment to inclusive and consultative market development. The event marks another milestone in Pakistan's journey towards a modern, competitive and transparent electricity market, which positions CTBCM as a cornerstone of reforms in line with global best practices.