The federal government of Pakistan has given the green light to an innovative battery-backed power system designed to deliver a fully reliable electricity supply to Gwadar by February or March of 2027. This ambitious project aims to resolve the ongoing challenges of power fluctuations and grid instability that have long affected the strategic port city and its surrounding areas.
During a session in the Senate, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari detailed the government’s plans in response to a query from Senator Jan Muhammad. He emphasized that the newly approved power framework will guarantee uninterrupted electricity to Gwadar’s vital infrastructure, including the deep-sea port, desalination plants, and industrial zones, all of which are critical for the city’s economic growth and operational efficiency.
The decision to implement this advanced energy storage and backup generation system was made following a thorough assessment of Gwadar’s projected electricity needs over the next four to five years. Currently, the demand in the region hovers around 40 to 50 megawatts (MW), but with the city’s rapid development and increasing industrial activity, a more robust and reliable power supply has become essential.
The proposed solution involves the integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) alongside low-cost backup generators. This hybrid approach is designed to maintain a steady and stable supply of electricity, particularly during periods when external power sources face disruptions. Importantly, the system is structured to operate independently without exerting additional pressure on Pakistan’s national grid, thereby enhancing overall grid resilience.
Minister Leghari further explained that Gwadar’s electricity currently comes from two main sources: imports from Iran and supply from Pakistan’s national grid. Under a bilateral agreement, Pakistan is obligated to purchase a fixed amount of electricity annually from Iran on a take-or-pay basis. Both countries have developed the necessary transmission infrastructure to facilitate this exchange. However, any failure to meet the agreed purchase volume results in financial penalties for Pakistan.
Electricity imported from Iran enters Pakistan through two transmission points, serving southern Gwadar and the northern Makran region. Despite this arrangement, the Iranian supply has been plagued by intermittency and voltage fluctuations caused by technical and seasonal factors, which in turn have compromised grid stability in the Makran division. Moreover, although Gwadar and Makran are connected to the national grid, the long transmission distance—exceeding 600 kilometers—causes voltage drops, especially during peak electricity demand periods.
Previous proposals to upgrade the transmission infrastructure to higher capacity levels were evaluated but ultimately deemed economically unfeasible. The relatively low demand in the region combined with the high costs and extended timelines for cost recovery made such upgrades impractical at this stage.
In response to additional questions from Senator Danish Kumar and Leader of the Opposition Raja Nasir Abbas, the minister clarified that power fluctuations typically occur when the Iranian supply is interrupted and the region relies solely on the national grid. He also highlighted a significant technical limitation: electricity from Iran and the national grid cannot be operated simultaneously due to issues with synchronization and frequency compatibility, which further complicates the power supply scenario.
Importantly, the newly approved battery-backed power framework will replace earlier plans, including a 300MW coal-fired power plant that was initially proposed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The minister noted that the coal project was excessive relative to Gwadar’s actual electricity demand and would have resulted in higher costs for consumers, making the battery-backed system a more efficient and cost-effective alternative.
In a related development, Minister Leghari shared that the government, in partnership with the Balochistan provincial administration, has successfully solarized approximately 28,000 agricultural tube wells across the province over the past eight to nine months. This initiative, which involved an investment of around Rs55 billion, is expected to generate annual savings of Rs35 to Rs36 billion for the national grid by reducing reliance on conventional power sources.
The minister also highlighted Pakistan’s transition towards a competitive electricity market mechanism, where future power procurement will be conducted through competitive suppliers rather than direct government purchases. This shift is expected to foster greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the energy sector.
Expressing optimism about the future, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari stated that the battery-backed power system for Gwadar represents a significant milestone in supporting sustainable development and attracting investment to the port city. With the system slated to become operational by early 2027, Gwadar is poised to benefit from a stable and reliable power supply that will underpin its growth as a key economic hub in the region.
