Govt approves amendments to National Electricity Plan 2023-27

The Cabinet Committee on Energy has approved amendments to the National Electricity Plan 2023-27, aimed at strengthening integrated energy planning, expanding electricity generation and transmission, promoting renewable power in remote areas and facilitating cross-border electricity trade.

The development came during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy, chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, on Tuesday in Islamabad.

During the meeting, the Power Division presented amendments to the National Electricity Plan 2023-2027.

These amendments pertained to integrated planning for energy, an increase in electricity generation, the supply of electricity produced from renewable sources in remote areas, cross-border electricity trade, expansion of the transmission system, tariff design, electricity conservation, system and marketing operations, identification of risks and related administrative matters, improving the capacity of fuel and technology at the local level, research and development, and digitization, read the notice.

April-June 26: Discos seek positive adjustment to recover Rs23bn from consumers

While approving these amendments, the Cabinet Committee directed authorities that further consultation be held with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), in this regard.

During the meeting, the committee also approved the High Level Design Report for Integrated Energy Plan 2027-2060 presented by the Power Division.

As per the statement, the aforementioned energy plan will, in addition to the federal and provincial governments, also include other stakeholders.

“The objective of this plan is to ensure energy security and economic competitiveness in the electricity/energy sector,” read a statement.

Under this plan, a strategy will also be formulated to deliver electricity to industrial and domestic consumers at affordable prices. Furthermore, low-carbon-emitting energy and electricity production, as well as environment-friendly and climate change-adaptive energy sources, will be promoted.

Moreover, the Cabinet Committee on Energy was presented with reports regarding circular debt in the power sector and gas sector for the fiscal year 2025-2026.