The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has unveiled anambitious plan to harness the power sector’s potential by initiating nineprojects with an estimated combined investment of $6.87 billion. Theseprojects are set to be offered to investors throughGovernment-to-Government (G2G) collaboration, marking a significant steptoward enhancing the nation’s energy infrastructure. Business Recorder hasbeen reliably informed about these developments.
The first project on the list is a 1320 MW power venture situated at Tharcoal block-II in Sindh, with a projected cost of $1.2 billion. Thetechnical studies for this initiative are already available, and thesponsors are gearing up to carry out a feasibility study. Next up is the1200 MWp solar PV project located in Layyah, Punjab, valued at $800million. Amendments to the framework guidelines for solar initiatives havebeen approved, paving the way for negotiations after Price Discovery.
Another noteworthy project is the 600 MWp solar PV endeavor in Jhang,Punjab, with an estimated budget of $400 million. The feasibility study forthis project is slated to be conducted by the sponsors. In addition, the132 MW Hydropower project in Rajdhani, costing $300 million, is set toundergo a fresh feasibility study.
The list also includes two vital transmission line projects – the 500 kVTransmission Line from Ghazi Barotha to Faisalabad at $400 million and the500 kV transmission line from Matiari to Rahim Yar Khan valued at $570million.
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Furthermore, the SIFC has proposed an investment of $350 million in 2000MVAR five reactive power compensation devices. Required amendments in theTransmission Line policy have been approved, and a comprehensive ReactivePower Optimization Plan is underway, expected to be completed in October2023. Lastly, the initiative for 1000 MWh battery storage aimed atfrequency regulation, with an investment of $300 million, is progressingwell. Feasibility studies are underway, and they are expected to concludeby the end of October.
Notably, the largest project on the list is the 4500 MW Diamer-Bhasha Dam,requiring an investment of $2.55 billion. WAPDA has enlisted the assistanceof a consultant to propose equity-debt participation options for foreigninvestors and formulate a transaction structure for the Diamer Bhasha DamProject (DBDP). This ambitious undertaking holds great promise for thenation’s energy landscape and economic development
