NEPRA ENERGY WEEK - A REVIEW: POWER SECTOR'S EFFECTIVE AND INFORMATIVE SCOPE UNDER CONSIDERATION.

Byline: AROOJ ASGHAR

F or the first time in the history of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Pakistan's power sector regulator organized the Energy Week from 24-28 February 2020 in Islamabad. Five full days were dedicated to discuss various aspects of the power sector with the objective to listen to the views of sector experts; to figure out the most suitable and efficient solution of various challenges currently Pakistan's power sector is facing and thereafter devise a way forward. Probably the best aspect of the event was attendance of the Authority in all the sessions with keen interest while Tauseef H. Farooqi, Chairman NEPRA kept the discussion focused. On a few occasions, Chairman NEPRA even intervened and brought back the discussion on track.

Let's first review the agenda of the event. Discussion topics and overall agenda were worth pursuing whereas speakers and panelist were selected carefully. Each day of the event was dedicated to one specific aspect of the power sector, starting with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), generation on the second day, while innovation, transmission and distribution were discussed on third, fourth and fifth days respectively. It must be a challenge for the organizers to line up such illustrious panelists and speakers, which was itself a painstaking exercise. Most of the moderators were from NEPRA and they showed professionalism and command over their area of expertise. The organizers, the Authority and the Chairman deserve full marks for successfully managing the event and moderatinga great debate.

Inaugural session on 24th February was chaired by Chairman NEPRA whereas Chief Guest was Federal Minister for Energy, Omar Ayub Khan, while Ambassador of China; Ambassador ofGermany; Chairman CEPC Authority and Chairman WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) were the speakers of the inaugural session.

According to the Chairman NEPRA, he accepted the position at a time when power sector had unprecedented challenges having a record level of circular debt of over PKR 1.9 trillion with a lot of other issues on every front. While assuming office, he decided to play an active role as a regulator and NEPRA is gradually moving toward a proactive organization from its traditional passive mode. His ambition is to make NEPRA a prudent regulator where NEPRA will have a diversified role, on one side it will provide enough confidence to local and foreign investors while on the other it will safe guard the interest of end consumer. I think, striking a balance between the two would be a challenge.

Tauseef H. Farooqi was first interviewed by the selection committee of the government on Skype when he was in the Middle East. The selection process was wildly discussed in the sector and various names were in circulation aswell. It seems that Tauseef H. Farooqi made an impression in his 42 minutes Skype interview. There is no doubt that Tauseef H. Farooqi is first Chairman of NEPRA who has come from the grass root level. Selecting a commoner on merit for the most important job can give hope to the people that present government is serious in bringing a change. Prime Minister Imran Khan met Chairman NEPRA 7 times in last 15 days sometimes even more than once in a day, which shows the commitment of the government in resolving the energy related matters.

Chairman NEPRA is spearheading the efforts to find a solution for piling up of circular debt, and bringing down the cost of electricity. He remained in discussion with the selective panelists even after end of the day's session during the Energy Week and explored various options to address the current challenges.

So, coming back to the speech of Chairman NEPRA, he laid down his ambitious targets for next four years; which included more investment in green and clean energy; reduction in tariff; no moreimported fuel power plant and no more capacity payments meaning thereby availability based new generation only. Chairman is probably getting confidence from the wonderful professionals of NEPRA and from the experienced Authority. He shared with the...