ISLAMABAD, Jan 11: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Friday granted licence to National Transmission & Dispatch Company (NTDC) investing in it “exclusive rights to engage in the transmission of electric power at voltage of 220KV and above in the entire country excluding the territory served” by KESC.

Incorporated under the Companies Ordinance 1984 as an electricity transmission service provider, NTDC has already taken over the transmission function from the integrated Wapda.

Prior to the grant of licence, according to official statement, the Nepra had invited last month all interested persons to provide their comments on the NTDC application which was received on April 10, 2002.

Subsequently, a conference was held on Dec 23 and 24 to hear the view of stakeholders, experts and representatives of the federal and provincial governments.

Under terms of the licence, the company would be required to provide nondiscriminatory service for the “safe, reliable and efficient transmission of electric power to users of its system”.

According to Nepra, the main objectives of the licence are as follows:

(a) Provision of safe and reliable, least-cost service to the users of the transmission system;

(b) to ensure access rights for the users of transmission system and nondiscrimination in the provision of service to users;

(c) to ensure adequate investment in the transmission system and generation capacity expansion;

(d) to facilitate transition towards wholesale trade and competition where feasible, and promote international trade, with neighbouring countries; and

(e) to ensure compliance with performance, safety and environmental standards.