Nepra gives final touches to seven regulations for CTBCM execution

ISLAMABAD: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has reportedly given final touches to seven out of ten regulations which are of critical nature and necessary for Competitive Trading Bilateral Contracts Market (CTBCM), well-informed sources told Business Recorder.

However, some actions including trimming of exclusivity period of power Distribution Companies (DISCOS) has 2023 deadline.

The sources said, government has to frame specific rules for execution of CTBCM, which are still in process in Central Power Purchasing Agency– Guaranteed (CPPA-G).

Another task which was related to the establishment of a platform for balancing market of electricity trade, has not yet been completed.

On December 22, 2022, Nepra hosted a webinar on CTBCM, which was attended by renowned national and international experts and stakeholders of the electric power sector.

He stated that Nepra has approved the detailed design and implementation plan of the CTBCM that will usher in a competitive environment in power sector benefiting the country. He further said that to fully understand the implementation, the webinar on CTBCM has been arranged to disseminate and develop understanding of different stakeholders on the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) as well as to inform the participants on power sector reforms, challenges and objectives expected to result due to CTBCM.

Beatriz Arizo, Consultant of Nepra on CTBCM, explained in detail how the Global Electricity Markets operate and shared her insights on comparison between other countries and Pakistan’s Power Sector while Roberto D’Addario, CPPA-G Consultant, highlighted important milestones and implementation roadmap of CTBCM in Pakistan. Omer Haroon, Head of Strategy and Market Development, CPPA-G also explained the current status of the electricity market in Pakistan and its transition from Single Buyer Regime (SBR) to CTBCM.

The sources said some of Discos have already challenged CTBCM, saying that implementation would deprive them of their valuable consumers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022