ISLAMABAD - The United States is providing Pakistan’s power distribution companies (Discos) with state-of-the-art technology to help them deliver a stable supply of electricity to their customers.

USAID’s Power Distribution Programme equips Discos with computers and specialized software that help them map, evaluate, and implement improvements to reduce technical line losses, increase revenue, and provide better customer service.
“Supporting the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to improve the performance of the energy sector is one of our top assistance priorities,” said USAID Energy Director Melissa Knight at the inauguration of a US Government-supported computer centre at the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco). “By providing Iesco and other distribution companies with new technology to improve performance and reduce losses, they will be able to deliver a more reliable supply of power to the people of Pakistan,” he said.
Iesco CEO Javed Parvez added, “We were lacking in our planning and engineering capabilities. With this new equipment and technical know-how, Iesco will make a significant breakthrough in the design and delivery of a proper planning strategy. This will result in improved overall performance and we are grateful to USAID for this.”
USAID has established similar computer centres at the Lahore Electric Supply Company and at the Gujranwala Electric Power Company. USAID also provides training for engineers and technicians from all nine Discos and is introducing international best practices for public utility management.
This initiative to equip Pakistan’s power distribution companies with state-of-the-art technology is just one part of a comprehensive U.S. energy assistance program which includes renovating the power plant at the Tarbela Dam, upgrading the Guddu, Jamshoro, and Muzafaragarh power plants, and completing the construction of the new Satpara and Gomal Zam dams.
Together, these large-scale energy projects will add 900 megawatts to the power grid by 2013 — enough power to supply electricity to an estimated two million households.