By Ayesha Saba
Imagine a new high-voltage power line stretching across Pakistan, ready to carry electricity efficiently from one of the country’s biggest hydropower stations.
That’s exactly what’s happening with the 500kV Tarbela 5th Extension Transmission Line Project. According to Wealth Pakistan, the project has reached 87.5% physical progress and 87% financial completion as of September 29, 2025.
Tarbela 5th Extension Transmission Line Project Makes Steady Progress
The project is part of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and is managed by a joint venture of M/s Netracon and MMP-BIDR.
With a total development cost of PKR 4,140.33 million and a contracted value of PKR 2,504 million (around USD 24 million), the main goal is to make sure electricity from Tarbela
The Hydropower Station reaches the national grid reliably.
Updated Timeline and Key Milestones
After some initial delays, the completion date was pushed from November 3, 2024, to December 30, 2025. Despite this, work is moving steadily.
Design and engineering are 97.5% finished, and nearly all materials have been procured, with procurement at 97.2%. Civil works on the ground are 85% complete, while the transmission towers have been erected up to 76%. The stringing phase, where the power lines are installed, is 29% done.
Testing and commissioning will follow once construction is fully completed.
Strengthening Pakistan’s Transmission Network
Officials from the National Transmission and Despatch Company Ltd (NTDC) said the project will strengthen Pakistan’s transmission network, reduce power bottlenecks, and make the electricity supply more stable.
Once completed, the 5th Extension Transmission Line will help deliver more consistent and sustainable electricity to homes and businesses.
Progress on the 500kV Nowshera Grid Station Project
Meanwhile, the 500kV Double Circuit Overhead Transmission Line Project for the 500kV Nowshera Grid Station is also making progress.
As of September 29, 2025, it had achieved 93% physical completion. Funded by the World Bank under the CASA-1000 initiative, this project is managed by M/s Netracon and M/s Barqaab Consulting Services.
Its contract value is US$6.28 million (PKR 406.3 million), while the approved PC-I cost is PKR 41,111 million.
Ensuring Reliable Electricity for Pakistan’s Future
The original completion date for the Nowshera project was April 17, 2025, but it has been extended to December 31, 2025, to allow for final testing and commissioning. Both projects together aim to modernize Pakistan’s transmission infrastructure and ensure reliable electricity for the future.
Author Profile
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Ayesha Saba is an economic journalist advocating for Pakistan's shift from unstable farming to high-value sectors.
Her sharp analysis of the central bank's report spotlights tourism and technology as vital engines for job creation and resilience, urging urgent policy pivots toward a **diverse and sustainable future.
