Engineering Post Report
Number of measures are being taken at the appropriate level for improving Power Transmission and Distribution Systems and working of the Distribution and Supply Companies (DISCOs) in the country removing their shortages and deficiencies in order to ensure provision of electricity facility to all categories of consumers in efficient manner.
According to the information available from official sources concerned in this regard, the measures are being taken are listed below:
Transmission System
Private sector participation in the transmission system is to be encouraged.
Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) will prepare and publish list of projects to be offered to the private sector every year in line with Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan approved by NEORA.
The capacity of the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) is being enhanced to immediately implement Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and construct/ operate High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Lines. Land Acquisition Acts accordingly will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the stakeholders.
Right of way/land acquisition issues in the implementation of generation, transmission and distribution sector projects will be addressed with the support of the concerned provincial government.
Distribution System
Placement of independent Board of Directors, exploring the option of outsourcing of DISCOs management functions/ operations without ownership transfer, and exploring area franchise structure for improvement in DISCOs efficiency with a clear transaction structure.
Induction of experienced personnel at all levels on merit to be made sufficiently independent in decision making process.
The rehabilitation of existing network of DISCOs direly needed for overcoming the losses and poor service delivery issues. Proper implementation and tracking of Energy Loss Reduction, Distribution of Power and Secindary Transmission Grid projects across DISCOs are to be ensured by enhancing capacities and /or considering outsourcing of operations and maintenance.
Roadmap for Privatization of DISCOs is to be finalized by the Privatization Commission in consultation with all stakeholders. Distribution network for Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir DISCOs is to be established at par with other DISCOs currently functioning in the country.
