USAID Energy Policy Program Monthly Progress Report April 2015

During April, EPP met with Water and Power Development Authority to discuss the procurement of major equipment for units 5-6 of the Mangla Thermal Power Project, including turbines and generators, and funding arrangements for an additional four units. EPP's Environmental expert visited Muzaffargarh, Guddu, and Jamshoro Thermal Power Stations to ensure that the on-going rehabilitation work is in compliance with the Government of Pakistan and United States Government regulations as recommended in the approved Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP). As of April 2015, $152.19 million has been disbursed to the Government of Pakistan implementing partners, and 1013 MW have been added to Pakistan's national grid. Policy Support and Analysis. EPP continued to work closely with Jamshoro Power Company Limited (JPCL) and the Ministry of Water and Power in development of the Power Purchase Agreement to be signed between the Central Power Purchasing Authority and JPCL and used as a prototype for other projects. EPP is continuing to work with the Ministry on the draft Electricity Act so that it more closely aligns with Pakistan's power sector and the Government's plans for market reform. The EPP-developed Power Sector Integrated Model (PowerSIM) is being used at the Ministry of Water and Power to analyze the changes in the cost of generation by switching fuels. At the Ministry's request, EPP worked on development of a draft transmission license that would recognize the removal of the Central Power Purchasing Authority from the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC). The strategic planning team completed the final draft of Part I of the NTDC Strategic Business Plan 2016-2020 on April 19, and the draft was sent to the NTDC Board for review and discussion. Component 1: Project Monitoring and Implementation focuses on rehabilitation of key power plants, including the Tarbela Hydropower Plant, Mangla Dam Rehabilitation Project, Muzaffargarh Thermal Power Station (MTPS) Rehabilitation Project, Guddu Thermal Power Station (GTPS) Rehabilitation Project, Jamshoro Thermal Power Station (JTPS) Rehabilitation Project, and Support to Ministry of Water and Power. EPP has been working closely with the implementing partners to ensure timely completion of these projects and has made significant progress in terms of disbursement of funds and addition of power to the national grid. Component 3: New Projects, Planning, and Development focuses on development of new projects, including the Kurram Tangi/Kaitu Weir Project and the Golen Gol Project. EPP has been working closely with the implementing partners to ensure timely completion of these projects and has made significant progress in terms of project planning and development. Component 4: New Activities focuses on new initiatives, including the Peshawar Electric Supply Company, National Transmission and Despatch Centre, and Live-Line Maintenance. EPP has been working closely with the implementing partners to ensure successful implementation of these initiatives. Progress in Numbers highlights the achievements of the EPP in April 2015, including disbursement of $152.19 million to the Government of Pakistan implementing partners and addition of 1013 MW to Pakistan's national grid. The report also highlights the progress made in policy support and analysis, including development of the Power Purchase Agreement and the draft Electricity Act.