Report by Engineering Post
The World Bank has approved financing of Pakistan’s electricity transmission network modernization to the extent of $ 375.9 million.
This will mark the first phase of a 1-0-year programme which has been designed to improve grid reliability, reduce transmission on bottlenecks and support the country’s transition towards supplying cleaner energy to the consumers all over Pakistan.
The World Bank approved financing will support the Grid Stability Enhancement Project which was being implemented under the Boosting Energy Security through Transmission in Pakistan (BEST-PAK) Multiphase Programmatic Approach.
The project will upgrade key transmission substations with advanced grid-stabilizing equipment for improving the flow of electricity across the national network.
The World Bank financing of the project would enable 640 megawatts (MW) of currently constrained wind generation to be delivered to the national grid, thereby allowing the full utilization of 1840 MW of installed wind capacity in southern Pakistan. It will also facilitate the integration of approximately 492 MW of planned private sector renewable energy projects.
Pakistan’s electricity transmission network somehow continue to face grid instability and capacity constraints which were contributing to frequent power outages, higher electricity costs and the under -utilization of renewable energy resources affecting households, businesses and industrial consumers.
The upgrading project implementation will support Pakistan’s target of generating 60 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, consistent with the country’s commitment under the Paris Agreement.
According to the information available, the project was expected to reduce carbon emission by around 832599 tonnes annually , equivalent to more than 20.8 million tonnes over its projected 25-year operational life .
The project also incorporates climate resilient design standards, with new installations to be built on elevated platforms for reducing flood risks and equipped to operate in temperatures of up to 55 centigrade thereby helping to ensure reliable performance during heat waves and monsoon conditions.
