ADB funds Pakistan power policy

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$ 400 million loan to support the government of Pakistan's National Power Policy, which was approved in July 2013.

The National Power Policy aims to increase the country's electricity generation to 26,800 MW, encourage public and private investment, and import electricity from India, Iran and Central Asian states.

The funds will support energy efficiency, transmission, distribution, cross-border natural gas pipelines, power generation, and renewable energy projects.

Working with the ADB, Japan and the World Bank, Pakistan has developed a five-year plan and set milestones to implement the policy.

The full programme is expected to total US$ 1.2 billion, with part of the additional financing required being provided by Japan and the World Bank.