The World Bank has approved a $375.9 million Grid Stability Project for Pakistan to improve and modernize the country’s electricity transmission system.
The project is the first phase of the World Bank’s 10-year Best Pakistan Programme. It aims to make the power system more reliable, reduce load shedding, and improve the overall performance of electricity transmission.
As part of the project, modern grid control systems will be installed at three major 500kV grid stations across the country.
The project will also help connect more renewable energy to the national grid. It will allow 640 megawatts of stalled wind power to be added to the system, support the transmission of 1,840 megawatts of wind energy from southern Pakistan, and connect another 491 megawatts of private-sector renewable energy projects.
According to the World Bank, the project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by about 832,500 tonnes every year.
The initiative will also support reforms in Pakistan’s power transmission sector and help strengthen the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC).
The new electricity grid will be built to handle climate challenges such as extreme heat and floods. The improved transmission system is also expected to lower energy costs and bring economic benefits to the country.
