No new imported fuel-based IPPs

Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Tuesday announced that no new imported fuel-based Independent Power Producers (IPPs) would be established in the country, while the government plans to shift 10 million electricity consumers to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters during the current year.

Addressing a workshop on power-sector fundamentals at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, the minister said agreements with most IPPs had already been renegotiated, helping secure savings of around Rs3.5 trillion for consumers over the next 10 to 15 years.

He said several misconceptions surrounding the power sector stem from incomplete and inaccurate information, stressing that reports based on "half-cooked information" fail to present the true picture.

"Media must communicate accurate and balanced information on the power sector," Leghari said, adding that the government was committed to ensuring transparent and factual information reaches the public.

The workshop titled "Training Media Personnel on Power Sector Fundamentals" was organised to enhance journalists' understanding of Pakistan's electricity sector and future reforms.

The minister said the recently introduced solar policy would not slow the pace of solar adoption, adding that the government was encouraging investment in battery energy storage systems. He further stated that efforts were underway to provide cheaper electricity to industrial and commercial consumers during daytime hours.