Leghari highlights power sector investment opportunities to BII delegation

ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP):A delegation of British International Investment (BII), led by its Managing Director and Head of Asia Srini Nagarajan, on Thursday called on Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and discussed investment opportunities in Pakistan’s power sector.

Discussions focused on modernizing the national transmission network, deploying utility-scale battery storage solutions and mobilizing private capital for key infrastructure projects, said a press release.

Briefing the minister on BII’s global operations and historical footprint, the delegation underscored the UK development finance institution’s presence in Pakistan since 1987, backed by an active commitment of approximately $600 million.

Highlighting their portfolio across Climate & Infrastructure, IT & Services, and Financial Services, BII representatives expressed strong interest in channeling capital via private capital route into Pakistan’s transmission sector, leveraging their global experience in power plants and grid infrastructure to foster long-term partnerships.

Welcoming the delegation, Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari outlined the government’s 8-to-10-year strategic roadmap for energy transition and grid modernization. He informed the delegation that the comprehensive Integrated System Plan—tailored around demand forecasts, evacuation needs, and technical prerequisites—is currently in its final stages. This structured planning model, he emphasized, aims to correct past policy imbalances and provide international investors with a stable, transparent, and predictable operational environment.

Reaffirming that protecting end-consumers from financial strain remains the government’s top priority, Leghari stated that local manufacturing of transmission components is being prioritized alongside foreign direct investment. Additionally, the National Grid Company is exploring local financial market mechanisms to raise domestic resources for future infrastructure requirements.

The two sides also reviewed technical challenges surrounding power evacuation from southern generation clusters (coal, wind, and solar) and northern hydro hubs to central load centers.

The minister highlighted that the national grid will require approximately 3,000 MW / 11,000 MWh of utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) over the coming years, presenting a high-priority investment avenue for global partners.

Furthermore, the minister noted that the deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meters and grid digitalization—backed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC)—is being accelerated with open opportunities for investment.

He directed the BII delegation to conduct technical-level working sessions with the engineering team at the National Grid Company to evaluate system specifications and map out a concrete action plan for bilateral cooperation.

The minister said that the government aims to develop an energy system that can meet future demand while also providing a reliable and transparent environment for investment.