KARACHI:

Sindh Minister for Energy, Planning and Development Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said affordable electricity for businesses and the public is the vision of President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, backed by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

Speaking at the "Multi-Stakeholders Conference on Competitive Electric Market in Pakistan," he said the Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company (STDC) and the Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority (SEPRA) will ensure cheaper electricity than K-Electric (KE). Power will be generated in Sindh, transmitted through STDC, and priced by the Sindh government instead of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). SEPRA's staff has been hired, and its notification will be issued this month. The first supply will target the K-IV project grid, with a focus on economic zones.

He said hybrid parks will help reduce tariffs and that Sindh is adopting global models to resolve energy issues. High capacity charges of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) can be tackled by expanding industries. Several IPP deals have been reviewed, bringing relief to consumers. Shah also noted Sindh has no representation on KE's board and has asked the federal government to allow two provincial representatives. The province has signed an agreement with KE for solar power supply and urged the utility to avoid expensive fuel-based electricity when solar is available.

The conference, organised by Renewables First and the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF), aimed to shift from the monopolistic single-buyer model to a competitive market. Speakers stressed the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contracts Market (CTBCM), approved by the ECC and NEPRA decades ago but not operational, is key to affordable electricity.