ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has conditionally approved an 11-year Integrated System Plan (ISP) for 2025–2035, with total investment of around $58 billion expected in electricity generation and transmission.
According to NEPRA, the plan proposes adding 26,045 megawatts (MW) of new power generation capacity over the next 11 years. This includes 17,485 MW of committed capacity and 8,560 MW of optimized capacity.
The plan also proposes retiring 2,577 MW of existing generation capacity.
By 2035, Pakistan’s total installed power generation capacity is expected to reach around 62,657 MW. The plan also includes 8,120 MW of net-metering capacity.
More than $47 billion is expected to be required for additional power generation capacity, while around $10.65 billion will be needed for transmission projects.
The transmission component includes strengthening the national grid and developing new grid stations to support the additional electricity generation capacity.
The plan also includes a 40 MW power plant for Gwadar and Makran, along with a 269 MW wind-solar hybrid project in Dhabeji.
However, NEPRA did not approve a proposed $900 million battery energy storage programme. The regulator said comprehensive technical and economic studies were necessary before battery storage projects could be incorporated into the national power plan.
NEPRA members also raised questions regarding the inclusion and removal of major projects by the Independent System and Market Operator.
Concerns were additionally expressed over the role of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in national energy planning. NEPRA members maintained that changes to the national electricity policy cannot be made without the approval of the CCI.
Although the plan was ultimately approved, the NEPRA chairman and all three members recorded dissenting opinions.
The disagreement mainly concerned the inclusion or exclusion of projects without prior approval from the CCI.
The approved plan is intended to provide a long-term framework for Pakistan’s electricity generation and transmission requirements through 2035. It represents a major proposed investment in the power sector and aims to expand generation capacity while strengthening the country’s transmission infrastructure.
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