Nepra wants hydel power reclassified as renewable.

Byline: Khaleeq Kiani

ISLAMABAD -- The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Tuesday directed the power sector entities to immediately include hydroelectric power in the definition and policy of the Alternate and Renewable Energy (ARE) sources.

The decision comes at a time when the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE), led by Planning Minister Asad Umar directed the Power Division to resolve immediately all outstanding issues with the Sindh government on Alternate and Renewable Energy Policy (AREP).

The AREP, 2019 was approved, in principle, by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in December last year subject to settlement of all concerns of the Sindh government. The policy has since been on hold.

Both moves, informed sources said, followed some informal meetings of PM Imran Khan with key stakeholders and confidants from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where it was reported that the AREP had been stalled at the last stage and that somehow the power sector authorities had ignored hydropower resources in the integrated energy generation plan 2020-2027 and the AREP 2019.

In an order issued to the Private Power and Infrastructure Board, National Transmission and Despatch Company and Alternate Energy Development Board, Nepra expressed concern that 'hydropower is not being considered under the scope and definition of renewable energy which is contrary to the definition and standards used worldwide'.

The regulator noted that hydropower was an attractive renewable energy option due to its low production costs, low greenhouse gas emissions and grid flexibility.

Nepra also directed these entities to 'make necessary amendments in all relevant documents and include hydropower projects in the scope of upcoming AREP 2019'.

Separately, the CCoE also reminded the Power Division that changes to committee's December 2017 and February 2018 decisions had not been actualised as yet even though clear guidelines were issued at a May 4 meeting.

Regarding finalisation and implementation of Renewable Energy Policy, the CCoE had...