The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has revised its regulations to provide exemptions for renewable energy projects under the Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions (IGCT) Act, 2022, and projects committed under the Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2021. This amendment was approved by Chairman Waseem Mukhtar and Members Amina Ahmed and Maqsood Anwar Khan, while Members Mathar Niaz Rana and Rafique Ahmad Shaikh dissented, as reported by Business Recorder.
The updated regulations are designed to streamline the implementation of foreign-backed renewable energy initiatives. One notable project nearing finalization under the IGCT framework is a 600MW solar power venture in Kot Addu by the Saudi company ACWA Power.
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The amendments also aim to resolve technical challenges hindering projects listed in IGCEP 2021, such as the Gorkin-Matiltan Hydropower Project. This regulatory adjustment is expected to unlock progress for approximately 400MW of committed renewable energy projects.
Nepra’s notification, issued under SRO 2720(I)/2024, formalizes these changes. It specifies that certain provisions of the Nepra Act will not apply to projects governed by the IGCT Act or those committed prior to the enactment of the updated regulations.
