Cabinet's energy committee approves amendments to electricity plan

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Cabinet Committee on Energy has endorsed the High-Level Design Report for the Integrated Energy Plan 2027-2060, aimed at strengthening energy security and enhancing economic competitiveness in Pakistan’s power sector.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy in Islamabad on Tuesday, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The proposed energy framework will extend beyond the federal and provincial governments, bringing other relevant stakeholders into the planning process.

As part of the initiative, a comprehensive strategy will be developed to ensure that both industrial and household consumers have access to electricity at affordable and reasonable rates.

The plan will also encourage greater reliance on low-carbon electricity generation by promoting energy sources that are environmentally sustainable and supportive of climate objectives.

At the meeting, the Power Division also submitted proposed changes to the National Electricity Plan 2023–2027.

The proposed revisions cover a broad range of areas, including coordinated energy planning, expansion of electricity generation, provision of renewable power to consumers in remote regions, cross-border electricity trading, enhancement of the transmission network, tariff restructuring, energy conservation, and improvements in power system and market operations.

The amendments also address risk assessment and related administrative issues, strengthening domestic capabilities for fuel and technology, research and development, as well as the digitization of the power sector.

After approving the proposed changes, the Cabinet Committee instructed that additional consultations be conducted with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) before proceeding further with the amendments.

The meeting also received a report concerning the circular debt position in the power and gas sectors for the financial year 2025-2026.