LAHORE: In a significant step towards boosting local manufacturing, Pakistan unveiled its inaugural Power Equipment Manufacturing Dashboard, a digital platform designed to track the progress of localization, evaluate vendor capacity, and pinpoint strategic investment opportunities as part of the Power Sector Indigenisation Plan (PSIP).
The dashboard was introduced during a National Consultative Workshop focused on the Power Sector Indigenisation Roadmap, organized by the National Grid Company of Pakistan (NGC), previously known as the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), in partnership with the LUMS Energy Institute.
Energy Minister Awais Leghari, addressing attendees via video link, emphasized the government’s commitment to providing an efficient electricity supply of 7,000 megawatts to the export sector at competitive regional tariffs. He noted that the initiative aims to transition Pakistan from an import-reliant economy to one that is export-driven, highlighting the importance of indigenizing the power sector.
The workshop gathered stakeholders from various sectors, including power generation, manufacturing, regulatory bodies, and academia, to collaborate on a unified strategy aimed at accelerating the development of Pakistan’s electrical equipment manufacturing capabilities.
Minister Leghari stated that the NGC is pioneering the implementation of an approved Indigenisation Policy, which has already yielded promising results. He called upon the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), power distribution companies, K-Electric, and both state and private power generation firms to embrace indigenisation as a fundamental procurement strategy rather than a mere corporate social responsibility initiative.
The push for an export-oriented economy, as per the minister, aligns with ongoing reforms in the power sector, including the functionality of the Independent System and Market Operator and future developments for the Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company.
The dashboard’s launch was celebrated by key figures, including NGC board Chairman Dr. Fiaz Ahmad Chaudhry and Pakistan Engineering Council Chairman Engr. Waseem Nazir, marking a collaborative effort to strengthen the sector.
Dr. Fiaz highlighted the success of the NGC’s indigenisation strategy, stating that it has generated savings of over $10 million through reduced imports. He reiterated LUMS’s commitment to contributing to policy reform, digital advancements, and transformative initiatives in the energy sector.
Looking ahead, he noted that the Integrated Generation Capacity Expansion Plan and the Transmission System Expansion Plan would require an investment of $8 billion, with a focus on domestic production of equipment to conserve foreign currency.
Engr. Muhammad Waseem Younas, NGC Managing Director, shared insights into the substantial local orders placed since 2022, amounting to over Rs2 billion, which includes specific educational orders aimed at enhancing industrial capabilities.
Furthermore, the NGC has revised its Type Test Policy to meet international standards, enabling local manufacturers to compete on a global scale.
The workshop concluded with a consensus on actionable strategies to align procurement practices with national localization objectives, promote technological partnerships, and establish a clear framework for reducing imports.
