ADB Assistance for Power Distribution Projects in Pakistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide assistance of Rs 51.562 billion to Pakistan for power distribution strengthening, as well as the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of Asset Performance Monitoring Systems (APMS) and installation of AMR/AMI meters in three ex-WAPDA Distribution Companies.
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), which met under the chairmanship of Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives (PDSI) and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal, has approved three development projects in the energy sector worth Rs 58.857 billion. The project related to power distribution strengthening in the Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO), valued at Rs 9.014 billion, was recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration. The project is proposed to be financed through the ADB. It involves converting four 66 kV grid stations into 132 kV grid stations, installing 50,000 AMR meters on 3-phase meters with loads greater than 5 kW, installing APMS on 1,200 general-duty distribution transformers (DTs) in SEPCO, and bifurcating 40 feeders with loads above 300 amps and high technical and administrative losses.
The second project, the power distribution strengthening project for Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), valued at Rs 27.613 billion, was also recommended to ECNEC for further consideration. This project is proposed to be financed through ADB (Rs 20.317 billion) and LESCO’s own resources (Rs 7.296 billion). It includes the construction of five new 132 kV grid stations, four augmentations or extensions of existing 132 kV grid stations, the installation of 1,600 APMS, 1,328 km of aerial bundled (AB) cable, and 131,901 AMI/AMR meters within LESCO’s jurisdiction.
The third project, the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of APMS for 100 kVA and 200 kVA general-duty distribution transformers and deployment of AMI meters in Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), is valued at Rs 22.230 billion. This project was also recommended to ECNEC for further consideration and is proposed to be financed through ADB. It involves the installation of 13,323 APMS and 150,000 AMI meters within MEPCO’s jurisdiction. The APMS system will provide real-time access to 100 kVA and 200 kVA distribution transformers (DTs), enhancing visibility, close monitoring, and preventive actions. In addition to APMS, the AMI meters will enable two-way communication between utilities and consumers, allowing remote meter reading, real-time data monitoring, and proactive management of energy distribution.
During the meeting, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission directed the Power Division to review the scope of the projects based on techno-economic feasibility, in consultation with all concerned experts and stakeholders. He further directed that an updated version, incorporating these reviews, should be resubmitted for consideration by ECNEC. In principle, the project was approved for strengthening the distribution network and exploring financing from ADB by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD).