ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), under the chairmanship of Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, has approved three pivotal energy projects worth Rs58.857 billion, aiming to strengthen Pakistan’s power distribution network.
The first project, the Power Distribution Strengthening Project (SEPCO), is valued at Rs9.014 billion and proposed for financing by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It includes upgrading four 66 kV grid stations to 132 kV, installing 50,000 advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) meters for high-load consumers, and implementing asset performance monitoring systems (APMS) on 1,200 distribution transformers. Additionally, 40 high-loss feeders will be bifurcated to reduce technical and administrative inefficiencies.
The second initiative, the Power Distribution Strengthening Project (LESCO), is estimated at Rs27.613 billion, with funding from the ADB (Rs20.317 billion) and LESCO’s resources (Rs7.296 billion). The project involves constructing five new 132 kV grid stations, extending and augmenting four existing grid stations, deploying 1,600 APMS units, laying 1,328 km of aerial bundled cables, and installing 131,901 AMI/AMR meters. These upgrades aim to modernize operations, improve electricity supply, and cut circular debt by curbing losses.
The third project, Deployment of AMI Meters and APMS in MEPCO, is estimated at Rs22.229 billion, also to be financed by the ADB. It includes the installation of 13,323 APMS units and 150,000 AMI meters for real-time energy monitoring and improved system reliability.
All three projects have been forwarded to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval. Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed the Power Division to ensure a techno-economic feasibility review before resubmission to ECNEC. The initiatives are expected to enhance operational efficiency, reduce power sector losses, and contribute to lower electricity costs for consumers.
Story by Mehtab Haider