NEPRA Exempts Foreign-Funded Renewable Energy Projects From Procurement Rules

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has amended its regulations to exempt renewable energy projects developed under the Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions (IGCT) Act, 2022, as well as projects committed under the Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2021. The amendment was approved by Chairman Waseem Mukhtar and Members Amina Ahmed and Maqsood Anwar Khan, while Members Mathar Niaz Rana and Rafique Ahmad Shaikh opposed the changes, reported Business Recorder. The revised regulations aim to facilitate foreign-backed renewable projects, including a 600MW solar project by Saudi company ACWA Power in Kot Addu, which is nearing finalization under the IGCT framework. Additionally, the amendments address technical issues surrounding stalled projects from IGCEP 2021, such as the Gorkin-Matiltan Hydropower Project. The move is expected to benefit approximately 400MW of committed renewable projects. Nepra’s notification under SRO 2720(I)/2024 formally introduces these regulatory adjustments, clarifying that certain provisions of the Nepra Act will not apply to projects under the IGCT Act or those committed before the regulations took effect.