Islamabad:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million loan and additional financing of $330 million to modernize Pakistan’s power transmission system and improve power supply.
According to a statement issued by ADB, under the Power Distribution Strengthening Project of the Asian Development Bank, the transmission system will be upgraded and modernized to meet the growing demand for electricity in the country.
The project aims to reduce energy losses during transmission and protect infrastructure against climate change and natural disasters.
Initially, the project will facilitate three major distribution companies, Lahore Electric Supply Company, Multan Electric Power Company and Sukkur Electric Power Company, which will enable more efficient and sustainable transmission of energy in these areas.
Yevgeny Zhukov, Director General of Central and West Asia of the Asian Development Bank, says that this project is part of ADB’s ongoing efforts to address the challenges facing Pakistan’s power sector. Stable grid-connected power supply improves the quality of life of the people, measures like reduction of energy losses and income protection through this project will reduce the financial losses of the power sector which will help reduce the pressure on the country’s economy. Will be helpful.
Under the project, at least 332,000 advanced metering infrastructure, data management and communication systems and 15,800 online transformer monitoring systems will be installed in LESCO, MAPCO and SEPCOM.
Besides, the voltage of four grid stations of Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) will be upgraded from 66 kilowatts (kV) to 132 kV. It will not only reduce the losses in the transmission system but also meet the increasing power demand.
25 grid stations will be constructed and modernized in Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) with critical equipment. 11 kV feeder lines with losses will be replaced with aerial bundled conductor cables and feeder line arrangement will be improved.
In this regard, Asian Development Bank Principal Energy Specialist Seung Duk Kim said that these upgrades will not only reduce losses but also improve revenue collection and provide distribution companies with real-time data on electricity consumption and grid performance. will In the event of severe weather, these systems will help identify and isolate faults quickly, reducing recovery time and limiting the effects of blackouts.
Under the plan, reform measures and policy recommendations will also be reviewed to improve the performance of the three distribution companies.
According to the ADB statement, Pakistan is a founding member of the Asian Development Bank and since 1966, the Asian Development Bank has been working to promote inclusive economic growth in Pakistan and support infrastructure, energy, food security, transport networks and social services. More than $52 billion in loans and grants have been provided for improvement.
Approval of additional financing
ADB has also approved additional financing of $330 million to further strengthen Pakistan’s federal-level social protection programs and services.
These funds will be provided for the ongoing Integrated Social Protection Development Program (ISPDP) to support women and their families to reduce poverty at the grassroots level.
According to the ADB statement, the program will enhance the capacity of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to transform it into a climate-resilient and resilient social security system.
In this project, special attention will be given to increase educational opportunities for children and youth from poor families, and to improve the provision of health and nutrition services to the beneficiaries living in areas affected by natural disasters.
Yevgeny Zhukov, Director General for Central and West Asia of the Asian Development Bank, said that the program further strengthens Pakistan’s efforts to promote human development and reduce intergenerational poverty, particularly for women who face economic hardship. I am more affected. ADB’s additional financial support will help the government increase its capacity to reach the poorest and most marginalized sections.
The program was approved in December 2021 and included a $600 million loan from ADB’s own resources, a $3 million grant from the Asian Development Fund and a $24.48 million supporting grant from the Education Above All Foundation. The $627 million project is being implemented from 2022 and has yielded significant results.
In this regard, Asian Development Bank Country Director in Pakistan Emma Phan said that this program is showing excellent performance, it has helped the poor. Providing access to primary and secondary education for children and youth in families, as well as health and nutrition services for women and adolescent girls. Better access is provided.
He added that significant progress has also been made to improve financial management, procurement procedures, internal control and information systems of the Benazir Income Support Program, which is responsible for the implementation of cash assistance programmes. This financial assistance of the Asian Development Bank will not only help the weaker sections of Pakistan but will also play an important role in the social development of the country along with the eradication of poverty.
