The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE), commanded by Planning Minister Asad Umar directed the Power Division to immediately includes the hydro power in the definition and policy of Alternative and Renewable Energy Resources. NEPRA has directed this to power sector to resolve immediately all unsettled issues with the Sindh government on Alternate & Renewable Energy Policy (AREP). The AREP was approved in 2019, in principle, by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in subject to settle all concerns of the Sindh government. As somehow, hydro power resources have been ignored in the integrated energy generation plan of 2020-2027, the regulator has noted that hydropower is a striking renewable energy option due to its low production costs, low greenhouse gas emissions and grid flexibility. NEPRA has also directed these entities to make necessary modifications in all relevant documents with including hydropower projects in the scope. CCoE was apprised about the country’s future energy demand, power availability to various sectors and progress made to rationalise energy prices. Under the new ARE policy, the federal government claims to be offering $40 billion worth of investment opportunities with a bulk addition (other than hydropower) target of 8,000MW by 2025 and 20,000MW by 2030.Coupled with hydropower, the renewables’ share in the country’s electricity generation could go up to 60-65pc by 2030, the Power Division trusts.
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