Govt rules out new imported fuel-based IPPs, plans wider smart meter rollout

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari said on Tuesday that the government will not set up any new imported fuel-based Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the country, while also planning to move 10 million electricity consumers to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters during the current year.

He made the remarks while addressing a workshop on power-sector fundamentals at the Lahore University of Management Sciences.

Leghari said agreements with most IPPs had already been renegotiated, a step he said would generate savings of about Rs3.5 trillion for consumers over the next 10 to 15 years.

The minister said misunderstandings about the power sector often arise from incomplete or inaccurate information. He said reporting based on half-cooked information does not reflect the full picture of the sector. "Media must communicate accurate and balanced information on the power sector," he added.

Leghari said the government was committed to making sure transparent and factual information reaches the public.

Workshop focused on media understanding of power sector

The workshop, titled Training Media Personnel on Power Sector Fundamentals, was organised to improve journalists’ understanding of Pakistan’s electricity sector and the reforms planned for the future.

During his address, the minister also spoke about the government’s recently introduced solar policy. He said the policy would not reduce the pace of solar adoption in the country.

He added that the government was encouraging investment in battery energy storage systems as part of broader efforts in the energy sector.

Leghari further said work was under way to make electricity cheaper for industrial and commercial consumers during daytime hours.

His remarks outlined the government’s current direction on power-sector reform, including changes in generation policy, renegotiation of existing contracts, metering upgrades and support for solar and storage technologies.

The announcement on imported fuel-based IPPs comes as the government continues to pursue changes in the electricity sector aimed at reducing costs and improving efficiency. The planned rollout of AMI meters for 10 million consumers this year is also part of that effort, according to the minister’s statement at the workshop.

Leghari’s comments at the event also underscored the government’s emphasis on public communication around the power sector, particularly on issues linked to tariffs, contracts, reforms and future energy planning.