ISLAMABAD: The National Grid Company of Pakistan Limited (NGC) has formally approached the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to seek clarity on whether it is legally required to retain custodianship of technical standards and specifications for equipment rated at 11 kV and below.
In a letter dated January 18, 2026, NGC requested guidance on whether the responsibility for maintaining Standards and Specifications (S&S) can be reassigned, or whether it remains embedded within its transmission licence and the applicable regulatory framework.
The request centres on Section 35(f) of the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act 1997, which empowers Nepra to specify industry standards and equipment specifications. Under NGC’s transmission licence and the Grid Code, compliance is required with standards specified by the regulator or, in their absence, those defined by the licensee as minimum requirements.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the clarification relates to discussions within the Power Division regarding potential adjustments to institutional responsibilities for technical standards. There are proposals to shift these responsibilities to the Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC), an entity currently under federal ‘rightsizing’ review. NGC has sought explicit regulatory direction before any change is implemented.
Equipment rated at 11 kV and below forms the operational interface between the transmission system and distribution networks. Standards at this level govern equipment compatibility, protection coordination, safety compliance and fault management.
In its communication, NGC highlighted the importance of maintaining clarity over regulatory responsibility and accountability in relation to technical standards, particularly where such functions intersect with licensing conditions and Grid Code compliance.
The move comes as Pakistan’s power sector undergoes structural reforms aimed at improving governance and operational efficiency. Nepra’s response will determine whether custodianship of technical standards remains with the licensed transmission operator or is subject to reassignment under the existing legal framework.
