Lotte Chemical urges govt to notify industrial tariff as its grid power demand set to triple to 80 MW by July 2027

Lotte Chemical Pakistan, now renamed Noventra Limited, has pressed the Power Division to quickly notify a proposed two-part industrial electricity tariff, according to Business Recorder. The company projects that its combined grid demand with Engro Polymer and Chemicals will reach 80 MW by July 2027, up from 26 MW. In a letter, Chief Executive Adnan Afridi argued that the optional time-of-use mechanism would push industrial users away from captive generation and toward the national grid.

Lotte expects to become the largest single industrial user of grid power in Pakistan after acquiring EPCL, with the two firms representing investments above $1 billion. Under the plan, EPCL would move 28 MW onto the grid by January 2027, followed by its entire 54 MW in July 2027. Lotte said its nearby 220-kilovolt lines could support the link. Lotte had shifted its entire 26 MW load to K-Electric in March 2025.

Afridi argued that electricity is a major competitiveness issue, with energy taking up to 80% of the conversion bill in caustic soda manufacturing. Energy costs for PTA production jumped to $60 per metric tonne by 2026, up from $17 in 2022. The company cautioned that prolonged doubt over the tariff could prompt a rethink of its renewable investments and slow production growth.