By Ayesha Saba ISLAMABAD, Feb. 24 (INP-WealthPK): Steps have been taken over the last five years to overhaul the electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure to absorb large quantities of power supplied from intermittent energy sources. Muhammad Waseem Younas, general manager of power system planning at the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), talked to WealthPK about the flaws in distribution and transmission system and the steps either having been taken or to be taken to remove them. “Pakistan's power sector has gone through a phase of investment over the last five years. NTDC is expanding its infrastructure by building new transmission lines and grid stations in order to accommodate the increasing demand for power across the country.” “In Pakistan, aggregate transmission and distribution (T&D) losses have slightly been curtailed to 17%. About 80% of the feeders have been cleared of power pilferage and efforts are being made to clear the remaining,” he explained. “NTDC has adopted sustainable best international practices to be able to provide reliable, efficient and stable transmission network and dispatch services to meet the transmission services requirements of generators and end-users.” However, he suggested that Pakistan should move from expensive thermal-based power production to greener energy with private investments. “Increased dependence on expensive thermal power generation results in tariff hikes, which particularly erodes the competitiveness of the industrial sector.” Source: https://nepra.org.pk/Standards/2021/PER%20DISCOs%202019-20%20updated.pdf The above table and figure by Nepra indicate the trend of data related to T&D losses of all distribution companies during the period 2015-20. It is observed that all the distribution companies (Discos) have cut their T&D losses in 2019-20 compared with 2018-19 except Pesco and Qesco, the electricity supply companies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Meanwhile, talking to WealthPK, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) spokesperson said, “After generation, electricity passes through large and complex networks before reaching the end-users. Energy dissipation in conductors and equipment used for power transmission and distribution are the main causes of technical losses. Commercial losses are caused by pilferage defective meters and errors in meter reading. Losses in distribution of electricity cannot be eliminated but can be minimised through proper planning.” He further said, “The government has taken steps towards curbing electricity pilferage. A special task force has been set up to combat electricity theft.” According to WealthPK, recently the government signed Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project worth $195 million with the World Bank to support investment programmes of three Discos to improve the reliability of electricity supply and reduce technical losses by setting up new grid stations, augmenting and upgrading existing grid stations, rehabilitating transmission lines, modernising Discos’ operations and management functions, protecting equipment and improving operations and maintenance. The project will also support the Power Division in fulfilling its policy mandate under the National Electricity Policy 2021 and implementing power sector reforms.