Business

Pakistan requires $62bn to $155bn for energy sector till 2030: ADB

Published

5 months ago

Farwa

Power, energy sector need most significant investments.
Largest investments needed for hydropower capacity’s development.
Investment needs for wind, solar energy expected to reach nearly $12bn.

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said that Pakistan’s energy investment ranges from $62 billion to $155 billion till 2030, The News reported Sunday.

According to ADB’s Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Energy Outlook for 2030 report, energy investment needs until 2030 vary significantly across the three scenarios.

The power generation and the energy efficiency sector need the most significant investments owing to the rapidly growing demand and low baseline efficiency. In all three scenarios, the largest investments are needed for the development of the country’s hydropower capacity, ranging from $11 billion to $26 billion.

Investment needs for wind and solar energy are expected to reach nearly $12 billion in the business-as-usual scenario, $36 billion in the government commitments scenario, and $57 billion in the green growth scenario, which illustrates the country’s ambitious plans for harnessing its large renewable energy potential.

Furthermore, according to the country’s nuclear power generation targets, investments for nuclear facility expansion and rehabilitation total nearly $12 billion in the business-as-usual scenario, $21 billion in the government commitments scenario, and $31 billion in the green growth scenario.

Generational rehabilitation and expansion are the investment categories estimated to require the largest share of the total — ranging from 60% to 75%, or $38 billion to $115 billion, varying across scenarios. The second biggest category is energy efficiency measures on the consumption side, requiring $12 billion in the business-as-usual scenario, almost $21 billion in the government commitment scenario, and over $26 billion in the green growth scenario.

The modernisation and expansion of the power and gas grids and the introduction of advanced metering equipment require investments of approximately $13 billion to $14 billion.

To further unlock Pakistan’s energy market for private companies, several challenges must be addressed. One of the key challenges is the lack of clarity regarding the categorisation of resources.

For example, although hydropower is generally considered a renewable energy resource across the world, the Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy has categorised hydropower sources as nonrenewables.

Considering the 30% renewable energy target in 2030, it would be hardly possible to reach this level only via wind and solar PV sources. If hydropower were to be included in the definition of renewable energy sources, it would make reaching the stated target and introducing stronger competition more realistic.

Another challenge is the lack of a detailed energy plan for the energy sector. Although the National Energy Policy has been approved, the corresponding division of roles among policymakers who would assign policy areas to all relevant stakeholders has not been completed yet.

In the current framework, sector-specific policies are developed by relevant authorities. For instance, the alternative energy policy is developed by the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB), whereas the power generation policy is drafted by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). This not only creates uncertainty regarding the long-term direction of sector development but also leads to unnecessary bureaucracy and delays in project implementation.

With a strong focus on generation over the last several decades, the T&D sectors suffered greatly from underinvestment. As a result, transmission losses in Pakistan are one of the highest in the region, with some distribution companies reaching losses of 38%. While policies, such as the Transmission Line Policy, have been established to attract private investments, a centralised transmission plan considering load development in the future is required to set a long-term direction for network development and to establish realistic targets for reducing T&D losses and attracting investments.

Another challenge stems from the country’s electrification rate, with more than 25Z% of the population having no access to electricity. With an increase in rural electrification, demand will increase significantly, putting more strain on distribution companies and generation. Finally, challenges in the T&D sector are reinforced by the issue of circular debt.

With growing power generation from thermal plants, higher costs were inflicted via the import of high-priced fuels and currency devaluation. At the same time, distribution utilities tasked with energy supply face financial hurdles due to the low collection rate of tariffs and their inability to meet regulatory targets for T&D losses. As a result, distribution companies are unable to pay generation companies for purchased electricity, starting a chain of debts that reach fuel providers via power generation companies.

The differential between NEPRA-approved and uniform tariffs is paid via a tariff differential subsidy, which adds a significant financial burden to the government. However, the government is moving toward tackling these challenges and improving the investment climate by establishing a clear and favourable environment for private investors in the energy sector. Pakistan recently approved an implementation plan for a regulatory framework that will establish a competitive market structure in the wholesale segment via a bilateral contract.

Furthermore, the government plans to unbundle natural gas utilities into transportation and distribution companies and establish a competitive natural gas market, which will prove beneficial in terms of attracting private investments in the long term.

Pakistan has already introduced specific incentives for its renewable power sector to take advantage of its substantial renewable resource potential of more than 3,000 GW (including hydropower). With feed-in tariffs for wind and solar PV technologies and a clear plan for renewable energy generation, it aims to support further development of renewable energy.

Considering the sizeable development needs in the energy sector and the government’s prioritisation of renewable energy, investment opportunities are significant.

To resolve power issues and improve energy distribution capabilities, the government is considering partial privatisation of distribution companies through management contracts and concession agreements. This opens up the possibility of ensuring sufficient power supplies, mitigating losses, and increasing competitiveness in the distribution market.

Being one of the largest markets in the CAREC region, Pakistan’s population is currently growing by 2% annually, with an ever-growing potential customer base. However, more than a quarter of the population does not have access to power. With suitable government priorities and regulatory frameworks, this would provide a substantial basis for investment in the energy sector, with more possibilities for return on investment and project implementation.

Business

High electricity prices moving beyond consumers’ affordability: study

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

A study found that rising electricity tariffs are increasingly moving beyond the affordability of the masses and adversely impacting their consumption patterns.

The study was conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad titled “Impact of Rising Electricity Prices on Consumer Behavior: The Case of Power Distribution Companies in Pakistan”.

The research study covered over 1,000 households and 140 shop owners in the top 10 cities of Pakistan.

The survey results indicate that most of the respondents have experienced moderate to significant increases in their electricity bills in recent months.

The study further highlights the correlation between the magnitude of the bill increase and the extent of consumption reduction, indicating that higher price hikes lead to more significant efforts in reducing electricity usage.

However, despite the overall reduction in electricity consumption, a significant portion of the survey participants reported no noticeable decrease in their bills.

It recommends the need for improved governance and regulatory measures in the energy sector along with affordable electricity tariffs and alternative payment options to accommodate different economic circumstances.

The study also stresses the importance of addressing issues such as load shedding and raising consumer awareness about peak hours when electricity costs are higher.

Moreover, it also found that the alarming trend also caused a sharp decline in the recoveries of distribution companies (DISCOs) which can lead to difficulties in paying for power purchases from the generation companies, maintaining distribution networks, and servicing debts.

These factors further hinder the ability of DISCOs to invest in infrastructure upgrades, provide quality services, and improve the overall reliability of electricity supply.

The research emphasises effective measures to address power affordability concerns and suggests strategies for distribution companies to mitigate the negative effects of rising prices.

Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the impact of rising electricity prices on consumer behaviour in Pakistan and offers recommendations for DISCOs and policymakers to address affordability concerns and ensure a sustainable balance between electricity prices and consumers’ ability to bear these costs.

Business

Will petrol price drop by Rs100 in Pakistan after Russian oil import?

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

With all the hype around Russian oil, the foremost question that every Pakistani has is what effect the imported oil will have on the high fuel prices.

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal answered the question in a recent interview with Voice of America (Urdu).

When asked whether the price of petrol — which had reached a record high of Rs282 per litre and currently stands at Rs272 per litre — would be slashed by Rs100 once Russian oil reached Pakistan, the minister responded in the negative.

“There might not be a significant difference,” he said. However, the price would “definitely reduce” once Pakistan started importing large quantities of Russian oil, he added.

“At the beginning, the quantity of imported oil is small, but as it increases in six months to a year, it will help reduce petrol prices,” Iqbal said.

Pakistan and Russia had been negotiating an oil deal for months before reaching an agreement in April.

The first shipment of Russian oil is expected to dock at the Karachi port in late May, State Minister for Petroleum Mussadik Malik had said last month. The country would seek to import 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude oil if the first transaction went smoothly, he had added.

Initially, the Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) would refine the crude oil in a trial run, to be followed later by Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO) and other refineries.

A day earlier, Malik shared that Pakistan plans to import one-third of the country’s total crude oil requirements from Russia.

The state minister revealed that the government has finalised a comprehensive energy security agreement with Russia, which would cover different aspects of the energy supply in the country.

Malik said: “We want to open an energy corridor with Central Asia like the one we have with Gulf countries.”

“This would reduce the cost of energy in the country and would be helpful in the development of industrial clusters and value additions in the agriculture sector,” he maintained.

The minister revealed that the government’s objective is to import 18-20% of its total crude oil imports from Russia, with the hope that this move will substantially lower petroleum product prices for domestic consumers.

Business

Power consumers to pay Re0.79 per unit more as March FCA

Published

4 days ago

Farwa

The amount will be recovered from power consumers in May.
The adjustment will be shown separately in consumers’ bills.
Charges applicable on all categories except lifeline and EVCS.

ISLAMABAD: Power consumers, who are already overburdened by soaring inflation and high fuel and electricity costs, will now have to pay Re0.79 per unit more in the month of May.

According to a notification issued by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) Thursday, the additional amount is being levied in lieu of fuel cost adjustment (FCA) charges for March.

The charges would be applicable to all consumer categories except electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) and lifeline consumers, the notification stated.

“The said adjustment will be shown separately in the consumers’ bills on the basis of units billed to the consumers in the month of March 2023,” it added.

In March, Nepra allowed power distribution companies (Discos) and K-Electric to recover deferred fuel adjustment surcharges up to Rs14.24 per unit from consumers in eight months.

According to the Nepra decision, discos will recover Rs10.34 per unit from domestic protected consumers using 0-200 units per month, Rs14.24 per unit from non-protected consumers using 0-200 units, Rs14.24 per unit from those consuming 201-300 units per month, and Rs9.90 per unit from private agricultural consumers.

The entire amount would be recovered from the electricity consumers in monthly instalments from March to October 2023.

In its decision, the authority also allowed K-Electric to recover the deferred fuel adjustment surcharge from the consumers up to Rs 13.87 per unit.

K-Electric will recover Rs9.97/unit from domestic protected consumers using 0-200 units per month, Rs13.87 per unit from non-protected consumers using 0-200 units, Rs13.87 per unit from those consuming 201-300 units per month, and Rs9.90 per unit from private agricultural consumers. The private lender will also recover the amount from March to October 2023.