The federal government is set to complete the Thar coal railway line linking Port Qasim by December 2025 as part of its efforts to boost the energy and transport sectors. Additionally, the government is working on a $500 million battery storage project with a capacity of 1,000MW to support the national grid and harness wind energy in the southern region.
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The latest updates were shared by Secretary Power Division Fakhar Alam Irfan during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Power. He stated that construction on the 105km railway line is currently in progress, being jointly overseen by the federal and Sindh governments. This railway will play a vital role in transporting coal from Thar to Port Qasim, ensuring efficient utilization of local energy resources.
Talks Underway for Battery Storage Project Financing
To fund the 1,000MW battery storage project, the government is in discussions with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Islamic Development Bank. This initiative aims to enhance energy storage capacity, improve grid stability, and maximize the potential of renewable energy sources, particularly wind power.
Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) Allocation Sought
In addition to the battery storage initiative, the Ministry of Energy is seeking Rs. 79 billion in the 2025-26 Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for four major infrastructure projects. These include:
- Battery storage project
- Ghazi Barotha transmission line
- North-South transmission line
- Karachi to Central Punjab transmission line
The completion of these projects is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s power sector, reduce reliance on expensive imported fuels, and contribute to the sustainable development of the energy infrastructure.
Stay tuned for more insights!
