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NEPRA Imposes New Grid Rules and Prior Approval for Power Projects

The move centralizes scrutiny to improve grid reliability with greater transparency.

Overview

  • Pakistan’s power regulator issued two regulations that take immediate effect, setting mandatory grid-connection standards and requiring NEPRA’s prior concurrence before any new plant proceeds.
  • The Concurrence Regulations require a detailed application with technical, financial, environmental, geological, hydrological and safety studies, a 15‑working‑day completeness check, public notice of registered cases, and a target decision in 28 working days.
  • NEPRA will approve or reject projects using demand, economics, technology fit, environmental impact and system needs as tests, with extra scrutiny for hydropower and a requirement to seek new approval if key project details change.
  • The Grid Connectivity rules make developers apply through the relevant transmission or distribution company, submit technical data, sign a connection agreement, and comply with the Grid, Distribution and Connection Codes to support safe and reliable dispatch.
  • The regulations expand NEPRA’s powers to issue directions, resolve disputes and penalize non‑compliance, while excluding prosumers covered under separate 2026 rules.