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Finance ministry to immediately pay Rs180bn to IPPs as part of new deal

Finance ministry to pay IPPs 60% — or Rs270 billion — in the next financial year

By Web Desk
January 25, 2021
The News/Files

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Finance is obligated to immediately pay Rs180 billion to the independent power producers (IPPs) as part of a new Rs450-billion payment deal signed on Monday, Geo Urdu reported.

According to the deal documents, two dozen IPPs, including the Hub Power Company Limited (HUBCO), had entered into a preliminary agreement with the government under which the finance ministry would pay the IPPs 40% of the Rs450-billion payment — or Rs180 billion — immediately, whereas the remaining 60% — or Rs270 billion — will be paid in the next financial year.

The IPPs, as per the documents, have apprised the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) of the initial agreement, while the HUBCO submitted information about the agreement with the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA).

The documents further stated that late payment surcharge would be slashed under the agreement and would amount to 2% for the first 60 days after the deal.

The document also underscored that under the agreement, IPPs would be paid dividends in Pakistani rupees instead of US dollars, while a final approval of the deal would be sought from the committee and the Cabinet.