Govt approves amendments to National Electricity Plan 2023-27

According to Business Recorder, the Cabinet Committee on Energy has signed off on amendments to the National Electricity Plan for 2023-27. The changes focus on integrated energy planning, more electricity generation, transmission expansion, renewable power for remote areas, and cross-border power trade. Power Division officials presented the amendments at a Tuesday meeting in Islamabad chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Further areas covered include tariff design, electricity conservation, risk identification, local fuel and technology capacity, research and development, and digitisation. The committee asked authorities to hold more consultations with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on the changes. The revisions also touch on system and marketing operations, along with administrative matters.

The panel also endorsed a High Level Design Report for an Integrated Energy Plan covering 2027 to 2060. According to the statement, the plan will bring in stakeholders beyond federal and provincial governments. Its stated objective is energy security and economic competitiveness, with affordable power for industrial and domestic users and promotion of low-carbon sources. Separately, the committee received reports on circular debt across power and gas sectors for fiscal 2025-2026.