ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has approved the import of an additional 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Iran, increasing the total power supply to 204MW for Balochistan’s coastal region, including Gwadar and surrounding districts.
The decision aims to improve electricity availability in the Makran division, where the national grid currently provides only 40–45MW of uninterrupted supply despite emergency measures.
According to a ruling issued on May 13, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) approved revised tariff and transmission agreements between the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guaranteed (CPPA-G) and Iran’s state-owned electricity utility TAVANIR. The approval covers amendments to existing bilateral power import arrangements previously endorsed by the Economic Coordination Committee in August 2023.
Under the revised framework, Pakistan will continue receiving 104MW of electricity from Iran while an additional 100MW will be supplied through the Polan-Gabd transmission corridor. The enhanced supply is intended to strengthen electricity distribution in Gwadar, Jiwani, and other coastal areas.
To facilitate the import, Pakistan will construct a 28-kilometre 230kV double-circuit transmission line connecting the Iranian supply to the Jiwani-Gwadar network, while Iran will transmit electricity through its existing 230kV infrastructure.
NEPRA also approved a revised oil-linked tariff mechanism for imported electricity. The pricing formula sets a base rate of 3.6 US cents per kilowatt-hour, with an additional component linked to the monthly average OPEC basket oil price. At an assumed oil price of $60 per barrel, the tariff is estimated at around 8.4 US cents per unit.
The regulator highlighted the strategic importance of Iranian electricity imports for Pakistan’s southwestern region, warning that unreliable supply could hinder economic activity and development projects in Gwadar.
During regulatory proceedings, Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) informed NEPRA that without Iranian imports, the national grid can only ensure 40–45MW of continuous electricity for Gwadar, even under emergency operational conditions.
QESCO further reported that multiple system upgrades, including shunt reactors at Dadu, Khuzdar, Panjgur, and Turbat grid stations, have been activated to improve voltage stability. Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVRs) have also been installed on key feeders serving Gwadar’s port and urban areas.
The company added that the OMS-Burqaab consortium has been awarded a contract to conduct regional voltage stability studies and implement corrective measures. A STATCOM-based reactive power compensation system is also planned within the next 24 months, subject to equipment availability.
Concerned about long-term reliance on external electricity sources, NEPRA has directed CPPA-G, QESCO, the Independent System & Market Operator (ISMO), and the National Grid Company (NGC) to jointly submit a six-month roadmap for sustainable power supply in the region. The plan must include demand forecasting, system reliability analysis, national grid integration options, and local generation strategies to ensure long-term energy security for Balochistan’s coastal belt.
