Solar PV penetration: ISMO seeks national study update from PPMC

ISLAMABAD: The Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) has sought an immediate progress update from the Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC) on a national study to assess feeder-wise and distribution company (DISCO)-wise solar photovoltaic (PV) penetration, saying the delay is affecting power system planning and forecasting.

According to an ISMO letter to Managing Director, PPMC, the study is intended to provide a detailed assessment of solar penetration at feeder and DISCO levels, covering both on-grid and off-grid installations. The assessment is considered essential for improved load forecasting, generation expansion planning, operational planning and overall power system analysis.

The letter noted that PPMC had earlier conducted a study titled “Solar Capacity Estimation of Pakistan Using Geo-AI”, which estimated the country’s total installed solar PV capacity at 17,437 MW, including net-metered installations. However, the study did not provide a feeder-wise and DISCO-wise assessment covering both on-grid and off-grid solar installations.

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Following the presentation of the study, the ISMO Board of Directors directed that a detailed feeder-wise and DISCO-wise assessment of solar penetration be undertaken to support improved forecasting, generation planning and system operation.

In this regard, a joint Working Group comprising representatives of ISMO, PPMC, National Grid Company (NGC), DISCOs and Pakistan Information Technology Company (PITC) was constituted on June 9, 2026.

The Working Group has so far held two meetings, on June 18 and July 1, 2026. During the second meeting, PPMC’s consultant presented a proposed methodology for estimating feeder-wise solar capacity using 11-kV feeder and low-tension (LT) network mapping data, supported by Geo-AI and other artificial intelligence techniques.

ISMO also coordinated meetings with IESCO and LESCO to facilitate provision of LT mapping data by the DISCOs through PPMC to the consultant.

However, ISMO said that despite sending a follow-up email to PPMC on July 21 seeking an update on the study’s progress and a presentation before the Working Group, no response had been received.

The letter pointed out that the four-month timeline initially indicated by PPMC for completion of the feeder-level assessment had lapsed. ISMO said it had yet to receive any formal progress update, revised work plan or preliminary findings from PPMC.

ISMO has now requested PPMC to share the current progress status, updated methodology and implementation strategy, along with a revised timeline for estimating feeder-wise and DISCO-wise solar PV capacity.

It urged PPMC to expedite the assignment, emphasising that the study is important for accurate load forecasting, generation expansion planning, operational planning and broader power system analysis.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026