World Bank rates progress on KP hydropower, renewable energy project 'moderately unsatisfactory'

The World Bank has rated progress towards the goals of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hydropower and Renewable Energy Development project as “moderately unsatisfactory”, while assessing implementation overall as “moderately satisfactory”. Dawn reported that the $727 million financing carries substantial risk; the project was approved in 2020 and is scheduled to finish on Nov 30, 2027.

The bank said the government requested a restructuring to align project scope and funding with implementation priorities. Work has advanced on the 88-megawatt Gabral-Kalam hydropower scheme, but disbursement remains limited: $3.95m of the $200m market-based loan and $34m of the $240m concessional loan had been released. The programme also includes plans for the 157MW Madyan project and solar installations linked to hydropower assets.