ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has sanctioned a $375.9 million project aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s electricity transmission network, the bank announced through an official statement.
This project inaugurates the initial phase of the Bank’s decade-long “Best Pakistan Programme,” which seeks to upgrade the power sector’s efficiency and reliability. The initiative is designed to minimize load shedding and optimize the performance of the national grid.
As part of the plan, advanced grid control technology will be installed at three key 500kV substations, boosting grid stability. The project will also facilitate the integration of 640 MW of previously stalled wind energy projects into the national system and enable the full transmission of 1,840 MW of wind power from the southern regions of Pakistan.
Furthermore, the project will connect an additional 491 MW of renewable energy from private sector projects to the national grid. The World Bank estimates that these efforts will cut carbon emissions by around 832,500 tonnes annually.
The initiative also aims to support government reforms in the power transmission sector and assist in restructuring the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC). The new infrastructure will be built to withstand climate-related challenges such as extreme heatwaves and flooding, ensuring resilience.
Additionally, the modernized grid is expected to lower energy costs and generate economic growth, contributing to the country’s sustainable development goals.
