ISLAMABAD: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved three major development projects in the energy sector, with a total cost of Rs. 58.857 billion. The projects were discussed in a meeting chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.
The meeting, chaired by Federal Minister of Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, was attended by key officials, including the Secretary of Planning, the Additional Secretary, the Joint Chief Economist (Operations), members of the Planning Commission, and representatives from the Ministry of Energy and the Power Division.
As per details The first project, titled Power Distribution Strengthening Project (SEPCO), is valued at Rs. 9,014.360 million and has been recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration. Proposed for financing through the Asian Development Bank (ADB), this project includes converting four 66 kV grid stations into 132 kV grid stations, installing 50,000 AMR meters on three-phase meters with loads exceeding 5 kW, installing APMS on 1,200 general-duty distribution transformers (DTs), and bifurcating 40 feeders with high technical and administrative losses.
The second project, Power Distribution Strengthening Project (LESCO), worth Rs. 27,613.00 million, has also been recommended to ECNEC. The project is proposed to be financed through ADB (Rs. 20,317 million) and LESCO’s own resources (Rs. 7,296 million). It involves constructing five new 132 kV grid stations, augmenting or extending four 132 kV grid stations, installing 1,600 APMS systems, laying 1,328 km of AB cable, and deploying 131,901 AMI/AMR meters. These measures aim to modernize LESCO’s operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce losses, thereby mitigating the sector’s circular debt and lowering electricity costs for consumers.
The third project, Supply, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of Asset Performance Monitoring Systems (APMS) and Deployment of AMI Meters in MEPCO, is valued at Rs. 22,229.810 million. Also recommended to ECNEC, this project is proposed for financing through ADB. It includes installing 13,323 APMS systems for real-time monitoring of 100 kVA and 200 kVA DTs and deploying 150,000 AMI meters to facilitate two-way communication between utilities and consumers, enabling remote meter reading and proactive energy management.
The CDWP has recommended all three projects to ECNEC for further deliberation and final approval. The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission directed the Power Division to review the projects’ scope based on techno-economic feasibility in consultation with experts and stakeholders. The revised and updated proposals will be resubmitted for ECNEC’s consideration.
