Day: November 2, 2024

Complaints Against Power Companies Skyrocket by 175% Amid NEPRA App Launch

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NEPRA-KE

ISLAMABAD – Consumer complaints against Pakistan’s power distribution companies (Discos) have surged by 175%, jumping from an average of 4,709 complaints per quarter in 2021-22 to 12,938 in the past three months, according to data from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). This sharp increase follows the recent launch of NEPRA’s “Asaan Approach” mobile application, which has facilitated complaint submissions. Between July 31 and October 31, 2024, NEPRA received the most complaints from Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) with 3,588 cases, followed by Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) with…

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KP Awaits Rs38.9 Billion Net Hydel Profit Payment, Minister Confirms

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Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Water Resources Musadik Masood Malik informed the National Assembly that Rs38.925 billion remains outstanding as the Net Hydel Profit (NHP) share owed to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government as of October 3, 2024. Responding to a question from Sahibzada Sibghatullah, Malik said the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA-G) has raised its payments to WAPDA, enabling monthly disbursements of Rs3 billion to KP following a Finance Division meeting on July 2, 2024. In this fiscal year, WAPDA has so far released Rs9 billion to the KP government. Separately, Minister…

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Senate Panel Raises Alarm Over Alleged Unlicensed Gas Sale in Badin-IV South Block

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Gas-Sale

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum voiced serious concerns on Friday regarding the alleged sale of gas from the Badin-IV South Block in Sindh through an unlicensed third-party company. Chaired by Senator Umer Farooq, the committee convened at Parliament House and requested a comprehensive report on the matter in the next session. The Petroleum Division’s representatives shared that an inquiry had recommended suspending activities in the Badin-IV South Block due to suspected regulatory violations. Chairman Farooq emphasized the need for a detailed discussion and transparency in upcoming meetings. The…

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Punjab Embraces Green Growth with Local Solar Panel Manufacturing Deal

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Solar-Panel

LAHORE: Punjab’s push for green industrial expansion took a significant step as Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce, and Investment Chaudhry Shafay Hussain announced a finalized agreement with a Chinese company to establish solar panel manufacturing in the province. Addressing the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Hussain emphasized Punjab’s focus on alternative energy to reduce production costs and support sustainable growth. Key figures from LCCI, including President Mian Abuzar Shad, highlighted Punjab’s contribution to Pakistan’s GDP, underscoring the importance of affordable energy solutions for the province’s industries. Minister Hussain…

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Govt Proposes New Payment Model for IPPs to Curb ‘Excessive Profits’

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Govt-Proposes

The government has introduced a new financial framework aimed at restructuring payments to 18 independent power producers (IPPs) by cutting down their capacity costs and recovering what it considers “excessive profits” accumulated over past years. This initiative involves renegotiating power purchase agreements with IPPs established under the 1994 and 2002 policies. The negotiations, expected to conclude shortly, are part of a broader power sector reform to reduce consumer electricity costs. The revised approach will transition IPPs from a “take-or-pay” to a “take-and-pay” model, where payments align more closely with actual…

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