Category: News & Announcement

Russia is seeking direct award of a construction contract for the $13 billion Diamer Bhasha Dam in a government-to-government deal without resorting to international competitive bidding, sources say. Faced with water and power shortages, Pakistan is looking for funds from China and Russia, who in turn want a government-to-government deal without international bidding. The government’s search for funds came after multilateral donors asked Pakistan to get a no-objection certificate from India for the dam’s construction. China and Russia want a similar arrangement for undertaking the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, which…

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The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has published its first quarter wind auction database under its Market Intelligence’s services. The database reveals that from January to April 2020, a total of 3.35 GW of wind power capacity was auctioned, with 2.1 GW in Europe and the remaining 1.2 GW in Asia. It also stated that during the same period in 2019, nearly 5 GW of capacity was auctioned. This significant difference can predominantly be attributed to the COVID-19 crisis, with delayed and postponed auctions in key markets such as Brazil,…

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With an aim to provide relief to cash strapped power distribution companies (Discoms), the government has taken a slew of measures to help them, including providing a rebate for the lockdown period amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The power ministry’s move is in line with the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement on May 13, 2020, under the Atmanirbhar Bharat special economic and comprehensive package including therein the liquidity infusion by PFC/REC of Rs 90,000 crore to Discoms against receivables and loans to be given against state guarantees for discharging liabilities of…

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ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Friday expressed serious concern over the deteriorating performance of the power distribution companies (Discos), increasing circular debt and worsening governance in the power sector. It advised the govern­ment to immediately close down its power plants. In its flagship State of the Industry Report 2019, the power regulator questioned the continua­tion of the federal Ministry of Energy, and Power Division, with the centralised control of day-to-day operations of public sector enti­ties, which had led to unacceptable technical and financial perfor­mance. It challenged…

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ISLAMABAD: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has accused the Power Division of controlling Distribution Companies (Discos), which use it as a shield, which leads to competition and opening of the sector. The regulator, in its State of Industry Report 2019, released Friday, has said that the power sector is under extreme financial pressure due to high cost of electricity supply and poor performance of distribution sector. Coupled to the higher costs are shrinking energy sales, which has resulted in higher cost for the end-consumers; further damping energy usage. “Distribution…

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