THIS is with reference to the letter ‘The inside rot’ (May 9) which blamed the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), among other things, for increased generation cost, line losses and corruption in the procurement of electric cables.

The fact of the matter is that none of such issues falls under Wapda’s domain, as they relate to the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) and the power distribution companies (Discos).

Subsequent to power-sector reforms and bifurcation of its Power Wing in 2007, Wapda tends to deal with the construction of new dams, operation and maintenance of the existing ones, hydropower projects and hydel power stations in the public sector.

Moreover, except providing green, clean as well as low-cost hydel electricity to the national grid, all matters relating to electricity come under the domain of power generation companies (Gencos), NTDC and Discos, and all of them are functioning under the Power Division. Besides, the electricity tariff is periodically determined by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), which is an independent regulatory body.

Spokesperson, Wapda
Lahore

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2024