Indigenisation: Power sector urged to exceed 30pc local value addition

Business Recorder reported that a senior Energy Ministry official told a national workshop in Lahore that the power sector needs to exceed the 30 percent local value addition target to make real headway on indigenisation. The LUMS Energy Institute organised the session, the second national consultation on the Power Sector Indigenization Roadmap. Participants included officials from the ministry, WAPDA, the National Grid Company and PPMC, along with regulators, manufacturers and academics.

Faizan Ali Shah, an adviser to the Power Division, argued that the 30 percent target by itself would fall short of indigenisation aims. He pointed out that the National Electricity Plan 2023 to 2027 had asked the Engineering Development Board to submit a formal plan by 2024, a task that was never completed. The Power Division will now prioritise drafting the plan with all stakeholders.

Dr Fiaz Ahmad Chaudhry, a senior adviser at the institute, described the event as a forum where buyers, manufacturers and policymakers could accelerate import replacement and strengthen domestic industry. Engr Faisal Javaid Mughal presented projections of ten-year demand and local production capacity, and discussions covered manufacturing readiness and localisation bottlenecks. Producers outlined product development plans and interest in supplying equipment, while buyers set out their expected needs.