The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), the industry body for the sector, has said its members want to buy 25 to 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the Punjab government. The request is meant to bring down energy costs for textile mills in the province, which the association says are weighing on its competitiveness. The 50 MW figure is the upper end of a range, not a fixed order.
In a letter dated October 14 to Sania Awais, Managing Director of the Punjab Power Development Board, APTMA said its members were interested in buying power through business-to-business or government-to-business arrangements. The association wants those deals to be priced at competitive and sustainable tariffs. A tariff is the price charged per unit of electricity.
Why mills want cheaper power
APTMA said high industrial electricity tariffs have weakened Punjab's textile industry and contributed to factory closures and deindustrialisation, a term for the decline of manufacturing in an economy. The association argued that a new market framework could bring competition and give industries access to more affordable power. It also said demand could go beyond 50 MW, depending on commercial viability, tariff structures and supply conditions.
The association was clear that the 25 to 50 MW range is based on preliminary indications from members. It added that some members may evaluate the opportunity, but any decision to invest or participate would rest with each company after its own technical, financial and commercial assessment.
Auction and the Punjab government's role
The Punjab government is considering taking part as a power generator in the upcoming auction of the first 400 MW under the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM), a framework that lets buyers and sellers agree power deals directly. The initiative is expected to add competition to the electricity market. APTMA has also asked to discuss proposed generation projects with the power board and to explore private-sector participation, including investment by its member companies.
The sources do not give a date for the auction, a price per unit, or a final decision by the provincial government. APTMA said it looks forward to working with the Punjab government and the power board on commercially viable solutions that cut industrial energy costs and support textile exports.
Aasan alfaaz mein
APTMA, jo textile mills ki association hai, ne Punjab government se 25 se 50 megawatt bijli khareedne mein dilchaspi zahir ki hai. Wajah yeh hai ke industrial bijli ke mehenge rates se textile factories ka muqabla kamzor ho gaya hai. Abhi yeh sirf ek proposal hai, aur har company apna faisla khud karegi. Aam shehri ke liye iska asar seedha nahi, lekin industry sasti ho to exports aur rozgar par behtar asar ho sakta hai.
