ADB supports Pakistan’s shift towards indigenous power generation

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Emma Xiaoqin Fan on Tuesday to review ongoing reforms and discuss future cooperation in Pakistan’s power sector, according to an official statement.

During the meeting, the minister highlighted that Pakistan’s power sector has displayed notable resilience despite global energy challenges. He attributed this stability to increased use of indigenous resources, including local coal, hydropower, and solar energy, emphasizing that the government aims to expand the share of domestic fuels to keep electricity tariffs affordable for consumers.

Fan acknowledged Pakistan’s proactive measures, noting that recent improvements in the energy sector have strengthened the overall resilience of the national economy. She expressed ADB’s interest in supporting the sector further through initiatives focused on digitisation, integrated planning, data governance, institutional reforms, and privatisation.

The ADB official highlighted ongoing technical assistance projects, including the deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters and studies on the integration of rooftop solar panels and battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the national grid. She also underlined capacity-building programmes, including specialised training opportunities in South Korea for power sector professionals to enhance skills and drive institutional improvements.

Responding, Minister Leghari stressed the importance of transparency and fairness in the selection process for such programmes. He highlighted the central role of the National Grid Company (NGC) and requested ADB’s support in its restructuring to ensure a more efficient transmission network. The minister also noted that the government has engaged the Pakistan Business Council to attract investment into the transmission sector, adding that post-privatisation, the focus will shift towards strengthening transmission infrastructure.

Fan concluded the meeting by noting that the ADB Vice President is expected to visit Pakistan later this month to further discussions on energy sector reforms. Both sides agreed to continue close cooperation to build a modern, efficient, and sustainable power sector in the country.