LAHORE: A feasibility study for the establishment of Punjab`s power transmission firm, the Punjab Provincial Grid Company (PPGD), has been completed, a meeting learned on Friday.

During the meeting, it was further revealed that the feasibility study for the solarisation ofdistrictandsessionscourtsin Punjab has been completed. The energy secretary highlighted plans to establish a main resource data centre in the department, where comprehensive data on solarisation would be available.

Work to establish the PPGD Punjab grid company started in the last quarter of 2021 during the period of former chief minister Usman Buzdar when a summary was initiated by the provincial energy departmentwhich sought approval to establish the PPGD. The work was accelerated more keeping in view the progress in Sindh that already succeeded in establishing its own transmission company.

According to the proposal accepted by the Buzdar government, Pakistan`s total energy demand recorded in 2018-19 was 25,627MW which included 14,474MW only for Punjab. The proposal predicted that the Punjab`s energy demand is likely to cross 24,000MW by 2027-28. Likewise, 68 percent of the revenue generation comes through a huge number of consumers based in Punjab.

The province accounts for 66pc of the total electricity consumers in the country.

The rapid development of industrial estates and special economic zones in Punjab has also prompted an increase in the demand for electricity. The proposal said theamended Nepra Act 2018 has created an opportunity for T&D of electricity through multi-buyer arrangements such as bulk power consumers and wheeling etc.

In order to capitalise on these arrangements and to accommodate the energy needs ofPunjab,thereisanurgentrequirement to supply sustainable and affordable electricity to the end consumers, particularly to industries and the agriculture sector in Punjab. It further clarified that after the promulgation of the 18th Amendment, provinces are fully empowered to establish a provincial grid company and lay transmission lines within the use of the province under Article 157 (2)(C) of the Constitution. Moreover, pursuant to clauses 18(A) and 18(B) of the amended Nepra Act, the provincial governments are allowed to establish grid companies subject to approval and licensing by the fed-eral regulator. It also mentioned that the Sindh government established the provincial T&D company and obtained a transmission licence from Nepra on November 5, 2019.

The meeting was attended by caretaker Punjab minister for trade and energy SM Tanveer.

DIRECTION: Caretaker Local Government Minister Ibrahim Murad on Friday directed the authorities concerned to identify appropriate places along the CPEC route for setting up new cattle markets for benefitting from cattle trade opportunities.

During a briefing, the minister directed the Punjab Cattle Markets Management and Development Company for reviewing the possibility of establishing a cattle marketnearSargodha.

He ordered finding 100 acres near LahoreRing Road or Motorway for establishing a new cattle market near Lahore, saying that the cattle market at Shahpur Kanjran should be upgraded as a model cattle market for other cities of Punjab by improving the sanitation and security conditions and ensuring other arrangements.

He asked for seeking professional advice from the Punjab Safe City Authority for this purpose.

The minister said all necessary steps should be taken to achieve the revenue targets for the current financial year. In view of the commercial importance of the cattle market, its separate identity should be promoted and a logo should be designed for this purpose, the minister added.

He said sale points for sacrificial animals should be set in coordination with the district administration before Eidul Azha.