Punjab to set up power transmission company.

LAHORE -- Punjab has accelerated efforts to establish a provincial power transmission and despatch (T and D) firm on the lines of the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC).

In this regard, a summary has been initiated by the provincial energy department which seeks approval to establish Punjab Provincial Grid Company and is currently being reviewed by the provincial cabinet, Dawn has learnt.

'Sindh has established its own transmission company already. We must have the same arrangement under the 18th Amendment. We are following up on the summary which has been sent to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar for grant of approval,' Punjab Energy Minister Dr Akhtar Malik said.

According to the summary, Pakistan's total energy demand recorded in 2018-19 was 25,627MW which included 14,472MW consumed by Punjab alone. The province's energy demand is projected to cross 24,000MW by 2027-28.

Likewise, 68 per cent revenue generation comes through a huge number of consumers based in Punjab. The province accounts for 66pc of the total electricity consumers in the country.

Rapid development of industrial estates and special economic zones (SEZs) in Punjab has prompted an increase in the demand for electricity. The amended Nepra Act 2018 has created an opportunity for T and D of...