KARACHI: Chairman NEPRA Tauseef H. Farooqui said, “In order to promote renewable energy (RE) in country, Competitive Trading Bilateral Contracts Market (CTBCM) model is under trial and will be launched in December, 2022.” Speaking at 2nd day of Annual State of Renewable Energy Conference organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute here he said that input and output data is being consolidated by connecting transmission and dispatch companies, DISCOs, private and public power plants and 239 consumer meters.

He apprised that CTBCM is a market competitive model for inexpensive clean renewable energy which enables sellers to provide electricity to bulk consumers without any geographical limitation. He suggested that DISCO must modernise as “it will be survival of strongest”. However, he said it is crucial to bring down cost for consumer through private companies and startups. MD NEECA Dr. Sardar Mohazzam informed audience, “National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Policy has been approved which will open areas for investment.

He highlighted that RE offers promising employment generation prospects across diversified regions and have profound socio-economic impacts.” Deputy Managing Director NTDC, Muhammad Ayub informed audience that in order to meet 60 percent RE target, NTDC has purchased site to add 500MW wind and 1,000MW solar energy to national grid annually.

He stressed that DISCOs must be apprised on need to modernize for surviving in current market. Country Manager Pakistan GoodWe Salman Mohiuddin suggested that 17 percent GST and 3.6 percent additional tax should be reconsidered and waived off for RE technology imports to reduce financial cost not just for businesses and bulk consumers, but also for residential consumers. Partner, Stimulus Hira Wajahat stressed on engaging entrepreneurs and stakeholders from energy sector to make across line, comprehensive policy changes. She suggested exploring technological upgradation through innovative business modeling between distributors and technology innovators due to fiscal constraints in Pakistan.

CEO Linkedthings Sophia Husnain stressed addressing demand side inefficiency in technology and replacing old appliances at residential and industrial level to reduce transmission losses and improve conservation. Project Director Sindh Solar Energy Project Mehfooz Ahmed Qazi apprised participants on various initiatives including 15MW solarisation of public buildings and 400MW on grid added through solar powerplants. VP Supply Chain Unilever Pakistan Abdul Hannan pointed out that Unilever had initiated RE projects to reach 50 percent RE target which has reached its ceiling. However, now a new site and technology is needed which requires financial resources.  CEO Shams Power Omer Malik appreciated NEPRA’s CTBCM model for creating possibilities for power companies to inject renewable power into grid and facilitating MNCs who are committed to meet carbon reduction targets to attract green investments. MD SOWITEC Pakistan Zeeshan Ashfaq credited inconsistency of policies on RE as a major obstacle in enhancing its share in Pakistan.

He suggested that government should focus on adding capacity to grid under a unified policy rather than presenting new policies. Head of Strategy and Power Market Development CPPA Omar Haroon suggested that DISCOs need new consideration for planning and operations to upgrade with RE’s penetration in power system.       

Head of Plant FFC Energy Ltd Assadullah Qureshi said that FFC Energy is pioneer in operating and managing its power plant completely through its own staff, as they have developed skilled capacity and also trained engineers and technicians from local community.  Research Fellow SAARC Energy Centre Ahsan Javed stressed on tracking impact of CSR activities from gender perspective, as women proactively reach out for soft loans. He suggested developing technical and educational capacity of local communities to actively incorporate them in operational capacity in these projects.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 03 2022

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