The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) power distribution programme, in cooperation with the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), has started installing low-tension (LT) capacitors on irrigation tube-wells in IESCO’s Chakwal Circle.
Currently, the project is assisting the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) and IESCO in the installation of capacitors. The USAID’s installations of over 700 LT capacitors in MEPCO have already resulted in an estimated 3MW reduction in demand, improved voltage and availability of surplus electricity for tube-wells.
Chakwal Circle has over 620 irrigation tube-wells that consume more than 6.4MW electricity. The USAID capacitors’ installation project will result in the release of 15% of consumption, saving approximately 1MW electricity for IESCO. The USAID Power Distribution Programme has also identified other circles in IESCO where these capacitors will be installed. This assistance to distribution companies (DISCOs) is being provided as part of the US commitment to support Pakistan in reforming the energy sector and addressing the problems of the DISCOs. The USAID implements the assistance programme which also supports the capacity building of DISCOs’ staff and board of directors, installations of equipment to improve the power factor, institutional and energy efficiency.
