NTDC plans $3.7bln spending to double transmission capacity

ISLAMABAD: The state-run National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) will spend $3.7 billion with the international financial assistance to double its power transferring capacity to 40,000 megawatts in the next five years across the country, its official said on Tuesday.
Manager Power Planning Mohammad Waseem Yunus at NTDC, speaking at a solar energy conference, said the company has embarked on a $3.7 billion capacity enhancement program, which aims to double its transmission and dispatch capacity to 40,000MW from the existing 21,000MW by the end of 2021.
The conference was organised by the Middle East Solar Industry Association in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation and Australian Aid. Yunus said NTDC will undertake a total of 63 projects with a cost of $3.7 billion, of which commitments for $2.3 billion have already been arranged.
“This is a 5-year project trifurcated into short-term, medium-term and long-term goals,” he said. “The short-term plan requires $979 million, which has already been arranged and its goals will be achieved this fiscal year.”
Yunus said the mid-term projects need $1.4 billion and “will be initiated shortly.” He said the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank have pledged $864 million for the projects. The long-term projects will be completed by 2021 and cost $1.4 billion for which multilateral donors committed $500 million, he added.
“The long-term projects will facilitate evacuation and distribution of electricity generated through the upcoming coal-based and LNG (liquefied natural gas) based power projects,” Yunus said.
Director Energy Ross Hagen at USAID said it is a mega project. He said the government of Pakistan does not have the funds to finance such a project. Hagen said USAID is injecting funds through NTDC for some strategic and critical projects. He asked the private sector investors to come forward and augment the public sector’s investment. —Javed Mirza