ISLAMABAD, Sept 9 (ABC): The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) plans to install 65,000 smart meters under a $108 million project aimed at improving the efficiency of its electricity distribution system.
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, PESCO will install the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters under its Electricity Distribution Efficiency Improvement Project (EDEIP). The foreign-funded project also includes major upgrades to the distribution network in Peshawar and Khyber circles.
PESCO has allocated Rs1.82 billion under the revised PC-I for installing 65,000 AMI meters in the 5-20kW category. The component carries a dollar cost of $6.5 million.
Distribution network to get major upgrade
Another major component involves the installation of aerial bundled cable (ABC) on 60 feeders across Peshawar and Khyber circles. The planned network will cover a total length of 1,298 kilometres.
The revised cost of the ABC component stands at Rs3.415 billion. This includes Rs683.043 million in local costs and Rs2.732 billion in foreign costs.
The project also allocates Rs2.67 billion for technical assistance and equipment. This component covers metering and testing equipment, transformer workshops, testing and protection systems, personal protective equipment, IT and vehicles.
Training, implementation support included
PESCO has allocated another Rs126 million for training and capacity building. Project implementation support will receive Rs560 million.
Overall, the EDEIP carries a revised cost of Rs30.256 billion, equivalent to $108.056 million. The total comprises Rs8.988 billion in local costs and Rs21.268 billion in foreign costs.
The project estimates also cover financing costs, price and physical contingencies, and project overheads for PESCO support.
The installation of 65,000 AMI meters, 1,298 kilometres of aerial bundled cable and supporting equipment forms part of PESCO’s broader effort to modernise its distribution infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.
