British International Investment (BII) is exploring fresh private-sector investment in Pakistan's power transmission network, as the government rolls out an 8-to-10-year plan to modernise the national grid and drive the energy transition. A delegation led by BII Managing Director and Head of Asia Srini Nagarajan told Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari that the institution is interested in channeling private capital into Pakistan's transmission sector, drawing on its global experience in power generation and grid infrastructure.
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 and infrastructure; IT and 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.
The talks also identified utility-scale battery storage as a major potential investment area. Leghari said Pakistan's national grid will require about 3,000 megawatts of battery energy storage capacity, equivalent to 11,000 megawatt-hours, over the coming years as the country integrates more renewable and hydroelectric generation. The government is finalising an integrated system plan based on electricity demand forecasts, power evacuation requirements and technical needs.
The plan is intended to correct past policy imbalances and give investors a more stable, transparent and predictable framework for long-term infrastructure investment. The two sides discussed technical constraints in evacuating electricity from southern generation clusters, including coal, wind and solar projects, as well as northern hydropower hubs to major load centers in central Pakistan. Leghari said the government is prioritising local manufacturing of transmission equipment alongside foreign investment to reduce pressure on electricity consumers.
The National Grid Company is also examining mechanisms to mobilise financing from domestic capital markets for future transmission projects. The government is simultaneously accelerating the deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meters and grid digitalisation, with support from the International Finance Corporation. The initiatives offer additional opportunities for private investment.
Leghari advised BII representatives to hold technical-level sessions with National Grid Company's engineering team to assess system requirements and develop a concrete roadmap for cooperation.