The agreement will improve coverage, reliability, transparency and quality of the power transmission service in the South Asian country by expanding the network in the Sindh and Balochistan provinces.

Werner Liepach, ADB director general for Central and West Asia, said: “A reliable and strong transmission network is essential to ensure uninterrupted supply of power for the industry and to propel economic growth.

“ADB remains committed to work with the government of Pakistan to develop a larger, stronger, smarter and climate resilient power transmission network.”

The project will also upgrade the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, by which the computers, data communication and user interfaces is used for the management of the network, such as monitoring and issuing process commands through a computer system.

This will enable real time monitoring and control of the grid, preventing losses, reducing power outages, and increasing grid stability and capacity, the bank said.

Additionally, the network upgrade “will help offtake power from new and renewable power plants to the national grid” and allow for Pakistan to get better loans to enhance its energy security, the bank said.