The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hydropower and Renewable Energy Development Project is estimated to cost $727m
World Bank to support hydropower project in Pakistan. (Credit: Pixabay/soukmano.)
The World Bank has agreed to provide a loan of $450m to finance the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hydropower and renewable energy development project in Pakistan.
The project is expected to support the country’s transition to domestic clean resources with an investment in renewable energy including hydropower and solar, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
In addition, the project will support Pakistan in reducing its reliance on fossil fuel imports and lower costs of electricity production.
The project is also expected to strengthen energy sector institutions for improved management of the growing portfolio of renewable energy projects in the province.
World Bank Pakistan country director Najy Benhassine said: “This project supports Pakistan’s goal to become a low-carbon, renewable energy-reliant economy by 2030 and contributes to its national target in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change.
“It will facilitate the expansion of renewable energy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by identifying and preparing solar and hydropower projects that are technically sound, environmentally and socially sustainable, and investment ready.”
The project will be implemented by PEDO
Through Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO), the project will be implemented by Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP).
Under the project, PEDO plans to develop run-of-river hydropower projects in the Swat River Basin (SRB) and other renewable energy projects.
SRB is estimated to have a hydropower potential of more than 2GW including several run-of-river hydropower projects, with a varying capacity between 10 and 200MW.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa project is expected support the economic development of the communities near the hydropower and solar projects, with infrastructure revitalisation and job creation.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hydropower and Renewable Energy Development project task team leader Mohammad Saqib said: “To scale up renewable energy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the project includes a comprehensive skills training program to build technical capacity in identifying investment opportunities, preparing projects, and mobilizing commercial financing.
“In addition, by installing solar photovoltaic systems onto hydropower assets, production capacity is expected to rise and generate greater return on investments.”
The total estimated cost of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hydropower and Renewable Energy Development Project is $727m, of which the World Bank has agreed to provide $450m in loan.