ISLAMABAD – The Power Division is set to restructure National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) in the latest bid to strengthen the country’s energy grid and improve its resilience.
Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Leghari highlighted critical constraints stemming from outdated infrastructure and technology, as he called for increased transparency within the system.
In a recent meeting, Minister urged development partners to provide constructive feedback, fostering an environment that prioritizes efficiency and effectiveness. He also emphasised that the current decision-making process, which requires all matters to be approved by the NTDC board, is too slow and needs to be revamped with greater delegation of authority.
To facilitate more agile decision-making, Minister proposed restructuring NTDC as a project-based organization. This change aims to streamline operations and improve project execution timelines. He further noted past instances where inefficiencies led to consumer tariffs being paid without corresponding investments, vowing that such irregularities will be addressed under the new governance framework.
He also reiterated necessity for transparency regarding data and investment plans, advocating for quick, data-driven decisions that would ultimately benefit consumers by reducing costs. He also acknowledged the crucial support of development partners and the vision of the newly appointed chairmen of the distribution companies and NTDC, urging them to focus on enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Boards of distribution companies and NTDC must operate independently, concentrating on improving efficiency, eliminating backlogs, and expediting decision-making processes, he added.
This restructuring initiative marks a significant step towards modernizing Pakistan’s energy sector and addressing longstanding inefficiencies.
