Key Takeaways
- ISMO has agreed to include the 269 MW hybrid Dhabeji project in its IGCEP-2025.
- The decision follows re-simulation based on revised data submitted by the Task Force on Energy.
- This project is expected to be optimized and selected for FY 2027.
ISMO, the Independent System and Market Operator of Pakistan, has agreed to include the 269 MW hybrid Dhabeji project as an optimised candidate in its Integrated Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP-2025). This decision was made following re-simulation based on revised data submitted by the Task Force on Energy.
The development materialized after meetings between the Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Tarik Ali Khan, and a representative of JCM Canada. According to ISMO’s addendum-II, during the development of IGCEP-2025, K-Electric initially shared data for a 220 MW AC Hybrid power plant at Dhabeji, which was considered but not optimised in the FY 2025-35 study horizon.
Subsequently, revised data for the same project was submitted by the Task Force on Energy. This new data reflects updated technical and commercial parameters, including an increase in dependable capacity from 220 MW to 269 MW, a one-year shift in earliest availability to 2027, and revisions to Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), exchange rate, capital expenditure (CAPEX), fixed operating and maintenance costs, and transmission cost.
ISMO carried out re-simulation using the revised data. The results showed that the JCM 269 MW Hybrid Dhabeji project is selected and optimised in FY 2027. This decision led to a reduction of 465 MW in optimised candidate wind projects for the NGC system and 78 MW for the K-Electric system, resulting in an overall reduction of 543 MW.
Additionally, the total capacity addition for the FY 2025-35 horizon decreased by 274 MW, from 16,680 MW to 16,406 MW. ISMO is confident that based on these re-simulations and the revised data, the JCM 269 MW Hybrid Dhabeji project will be optimised in FY 2027.
The Task Force on Energy’s letter and the addendum-II document the detailed process of re-simulation. The documents state that further sensitivity analysis incorporating the latest demand base year 2024-25 also yielded consistent results, confirming the selection of the project for optimisation in FY 2027.
This development is significant as it aligns with Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to diversify its energy mix and enhance grid stability. The inclusion of this hybrid project will contribute to meeting future energy demands while ensuring a more balanced approach to power generation.
