ISLAMABAD : A World Bank team will visit Pakistan, from July 21 to July 29, 2025, to carry out a preparation mission for Boosting Energy Security through Transmission in Pakistan (BEST-Pak) program phase 1.
The mission will engage with the National Grid Company (NGC) previously known as National Transmission and Distribution Company (NTDC), the implementing agency of the project, Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), Ministry of Energy (Power Division) and Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The objective of the mission is to appraise the Phase 1 STATCOM project prepared by NGC for proposed financing by the World Bank. Phase 1 of the program will finance installation of STATCOMs at key locations along the NGC network to improve voltage stability, support reliable power system operations, and enable greater integration of renewable energy to enable South-North power transfer. This will be the first deployment of STATCOM technology at scale in Pakistan.
A Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) is a power electronics -based device in power systems to regulate voltage and improve grid stability by providing or absorbing reactive power.
Currently, Wind Power Projects (WPPs) are facing drawl issues due to limited transmission capacity. The project sponsors have raised this issue at every forum.
According to the Bank, it has funding available under its regional Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP) to support the Government of Pakistan in enhancing energy security and modernizing transmission infrastructure.
The Bank has confirmed availability of $ 5 million in grant funding to support the preparation, structuring and implementation readiness, capacity building and fiduciary and environmental and social assessments aimed at preparing phase-1and facilitating readiness for subsequent phases of the MPA.
The grant agreement is likely to be signed within this week as funds will not be available after July 25, 2025, sources in the World Bank said.
The Bank team will comprise of Mr. Waleed Saleh Alsuraih (Lead Energy Specialist), Mr.Mohammad Anis (Senior Energy Specialist), Mr. Waqas Idrees (Sr. Energy Specialist), Mr. Ahmad Imran Aslam (Senior Environmental Specialist), Mr. Jerome Bezzina (Sr. Digital Specialist), Mr. Ric Austria (Sr.Power Transmission Engineer), Ms. Sarah Khokhar (Social Development Specialist), Syed Wajahat Ali Shah (Procurement Specialist), Mr. Mirza Omer Baig (Financial Management Specialist), Mr. Naoki Fujioka (Energy Specialist); and Mr. Bahodir Amonov (Energy Specialist). Kindly note that Mr. Husam Mohamed Beides, our Practice Manager for Infrastructure, Energy, World Bank Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) Region will also attend some key meetings.
