Author: Admin

WAPDA Seeks Power Division’s Approval for Mangla Power House Tunnel Closure for Refurbishment

Admin
Mangi-Dam

ISLAMABAD: The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has formally approached the Power Division, seeking approval for the closure of Tunnel No. 1 (units 1 and 2) at the Mangla power house for 18 months to undergo refurbishment. The project aims to enhance the power house’s capacity by 310 MW, increasing it from 1,000 MW to 1,310 MW. The refurbishment project, approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in December 2023, is expected to extend the plant’s operational life by 30 to 35 years. WAPDA has…

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Power Firms to Refund Rs7.2 Billion Amid Decline in Demand

Admin
Nepra-Price

ISLAMABAD: Public sector power companies have proposed a 57-paise-per-unit negative fuel cost adjustment (FCA) in electricity bills to refund Rs7.2 billion overcharged to consumers last month. This marks the second consecutive month of negative FCA, driven by robust fuel allowances approved by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) following a 20% base tariff increase, effective July 1, 2023. In August, domestic fuel sources accounted for 79% of the total power supply, with more than half generated at zero fuel cost. Last month, Nepra approved a 37-paise-per-unit negative FCA for…

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Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Companies Face Billions in Unpaid Dues; PM Directs Immediate Action

Admin
oil and gas

Pakistan’s oil and gas sector is facing a major financial crisis, with companies owing the federal government billions in unpaid dues. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the situation, instructing the Petroleum Division to take immediate steps to recover the outstanding amounts. As of last year, over PKR 44.39 billion in royalties is owed by various companies. Key defaulters include: PEL: PKR 1.16 billionOGDCL: PKR 26 billionUnited Energy: PKR 9 billionOrient Pakistan: PKR 870 millionThe Petroleum Division attributes delays in payments to the country’s circular debt and a…

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Global Solar Generation Surpasses Wind Power: The Rise of Big Solar

Admin
Solar-Wind

Since May 2023, solar electricity generation has overtaken wind as the leading utility-scale renewable energy source. Higher solar output during the summer months has extended this dominance, with solar generating 9.57 terawatt hours (TWh) more than wind in June alone, according to energy think tank Ember. While this trend is expected to continue through August, wind power is projected to regain the lead by September, when wind speeds increase with the onset of winter in Europe, North America, and Northern Asia. Solar energy is growing at a faster pace than…

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Chinese Solar Panel Surge Strains Pakistan’s Debt-Ridden Power Grid

Admin
Solar power

Pakistan’s businesses are rushing to install low-cost Chinese solar panels in response to surging electricity prices, which have made the state-owned grid one of the most expensive in South Asia. Major industries, such as Forward Sports, have dramatically increased their solar capacity to reduce reliance on the costly national power supply. This rapid switch to solar, driven by Pakistan’s harsh sunlight and financial incentives, has led to a record $1.4 billion worth of Chinese solar panel imports in the first half of 2024. However, this shift is exacerbating Pakistan’s power…

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