Power data: Detrimental delays

The provision of timely dissemination of data and reports is a practice that is much desired for industry assessment by market analysts and policymakers alike. However, as with the majority of sectors, the energy sector is no exception when it comes to significant delays in report publication and provision of statistics.

What use is a report that is published after almost a year about the state of the transmission network in Pakistan? Well, such was the case of the National Electric Regulatory and Power Authoritys (NEPRA) Visit Report of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC).

The report lambasted NTDCs abysmal performance in upgradation and rehabilitation of the grid network in Pakistan. However, the report which was finalized by the end of 2015 went through an almost yearlong consultative process of the NTDC before it was made public.

This results in confusion being created for the media, market analysts, the private sector and the public because the Ministry of Water and Power (MoWP) can then conveniently state that things have improved in the year following the reports review period. One can argue that the regulator should increase pressure on institutions to complete their consultative process in a timelier manner.

But the last release of the State of Industry (SOI) Report 2015 saw MoWP stating the regulator should have finalised the annual report in consultation with ministry as it is a key stakeholder. The SOI was released almost nine months after year-end so how much more consultations were required?

Again, this year the release of the SOI is expected to be behind and the reason is the delay in data provision by the relevant institutions to NEPRA. The last resort that the regulator can use is show-cause notices and informed sources tell BR Research that it has been forced to play this hand.

Another disappointing practice that the MoWP has adopted is the withholding of generation data which used to be uploaded on a daily basis and was accessible to the public. But for more the last six months and interestingly right after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program ended, this data is no longer available. Not just to the public which are deemed lesser mortals but ironically also to the Planning Commissions Energy Wing or NEPRA.

Then there is the issue of corroborating what the MoWP says with the relevant data. For example recently it has been stating that then performance and profitability of Generation Companies (GENCOs) and Distribution Companies (DISCOs) has improved. If that is the case there is all the more reason for the relevant data dissemination so the MoWP could be given a pat on the back for this remarkable feat.

Granted, that the pressure is on for the MoWP and at the end of the day it has the responsibility to deliver on the governments promise of revamping the power sector. But these practices of undesirable delays in data provision and withholding of information is not a healthy sign of promoting transparency. Neither do they allow other government departments such as the Planning Commission or NEPRA in carrying out their respective roles effectively.