The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has laid out rules governing the process of electricity import into the country in view of increasing demand for energy in the country as well as distribution sector’s interest in import of electricity from across the border, media sources have reported.
The Nepra (Import of Power) Regulations 2017 are focused on laying out a framework and setting regulations governing the import of electricity into the country. The regulations will be applicable on import of electricity from foreign countries as well as generation facilities located in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and territories where the existing Nepra Act is not applied.
NEPRA is seeking feedback on the Import of Power Regulations from the all the stakeholders within one month.
According to the new rules, an electricity importer will be required to file an application with Nepra for rate determination. The power purchase agreement will be executed according to the determined rate.
Under the Casa-1000 Power Project, the government has sanctioned an import of 1,300MW of electricity from central Asian states during summer months from May till September in order to meet the energy deficit which usually peaks during the summer months.
The electricity import is scheduled to begin from 2019 after the layout of transmission lines is completed.
1,000 to 1,300 MW of electricity is expected to be imported from Republic of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan into Pakistan and Afghanistan with the major chunk to be utilised by Pakistan and about 300 MW of the power being utilised by Afghanistan. Pakistan is already importing more than 100 MW from Iran.
The government plans to increase the import of electricity manifold in view of the increasing power deficit faced by the country which rises to as high as 6000 MW during peak times.
