Seasoned Power Professional Takes Helm at National Grid Company
In a significant development for Pakistan's energy sector, Altaf Hussain has officially taken over as the Managing Director of the National Grid Company of Pakistan Limited (NGC). This appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the country undertakes major reforms in its power transmission infrastructure.
Three Decades of Global Experience
Hussain brings an impressive three decades of international expertise in power transmission and distribution to his new role. His professional journey began in 1987 when he joined the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), where he dedicated more than ten years serving Pakistan's power needs.
Following his initial service period, Hussain relocated to Canada, where he spent the next 27 years advancing his career in the North American power sector. His most recent position was as the Director of Asset Strategy and Planning at BC Hydro, one of Canada's leading electric utilities. During his tenure there, he spearheaded major initiatives focused on grid resilience, electrification, and energy transition projects.
Throughout his successful international career, Hussain maintained a strong commitment to eventually return to Pakistan and contribute his expertise to the nation's energy development.
Strategic Restructuring of Power Sector
Hussain's appointment coincides with the government's comprehensive restructuring program that has transformed the former National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) into the newly established NGC. This reform has created three distinct entities: the National Grid Company (NGC) as the national transmission service provider, the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), and the Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company (EIDMC).
The primary objectives of this restructuring include enhancing transparency, improving operational efficiency, and boosting overall sector performance across Pakistan's power infrastructure.
Vision for Modern Utility Transformation
On his very first day in office, Hussain conducted an online session with NGC's leadership team, including C-suite officers, deputy managing directors, general managers, chief engineers, and managers. He outlined his comprehensive vision to transform NGC into a modern and progressive utility company that meets international standards.
Hussain emphasized several critical areas for development, including effective team building, adoption of cutting-edge technology, and establishing clear communication channels across all organizational levels. He particularly stressed the importance of mentoring and coaching programs to develop internal talent and build a strong leadership pipeline within the organization.
The new Managing Director expressed his firm commitment to making NGC an innovation-driven organization that embraces international best practices and modern approaches to transmission system management. He expressed confidence that NGC teams would deliver projects within committed timelines to adequately support Pakistan's power requirements and contribute to the country's economic development.
Leading Grid Modernization Efforts
As Managing Director, Hussain will directly oversee NGC's transmission network development, operations, and reliability enhancement initiatives. He will work in close coordination with ISMO on system and market operations, while collaborating with EIDMC on various infrastructure development projects.
His extensive international experience combined with his deep understanding of Pakistan's power sector uniquely positions him to guide NGC through its transformation journey and significantly contribute to the country's grid modernization efforts.
