ISLAMABAD: The World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) has released its final evaluation of the Sindh Solar Energy Project, a programme worth more than $93 million, describing its overall performance as unsatisfactory.
According to the evaluation, the long-running project failed to achieve several of its key objectives by its closing date in July 2025.
Major Gap Between Targets and Results
The project originally aimed to develop 400 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale solar generation capacity, along with an additional 20MW through distributed solar systems. However, only 35MW of solar generation capacity was ultimately delivered.
The IEG identified several factors behind the shortfall, including delays in land allocation, problems securing grid-related approvals, weak coordination between federal and provincial authorities, and limited technical and institutional capacity.
Solar Park Projects Stalled
Three solar park sites were prepared under the project in Karachi and Jamshoro. These included sites at Deh Halkani and Ban Murad in Karachi, Deh Mitaghar in Karachi, and Manjhand in Jamshoro.
Construction work began at the designated Karachi sites through private companies, but the projects later stalled. At Manjhand, delays in obtaining grid approval prevented the project from reaching the bidding stage, and it was eventually cancelled.
Rooftop Solar Performance Better
The distributed solar component of the project performed considerably better. Rooftop solar systems with a combined capacity of 35MW were installed on public buildings against the original target of 20MW.
The project also supported the solarisation of 33 key healthcare facilities and installed battery storage systems to help public facilities cope with power outages.
The scheme provided new or improved access to electricity for more than 1.01 million people, equivalent to around 84% of the original target.
The project also significantly exceeded its target for female-headed households. A total of 76,241 households benefited, compared with the original target of just 4,000.
Delays and Financing Shortfall
The project was approved in June 2018 and became effective in June 2019. It was originally scheduled for completion in September 2023, but its closing date was extended by around 22 months due to management challenges and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The project was initially estimated to cost $105 million, comprising a $100 million World Bank credit and $5 million in funding from the Sindh government.
However, exchange-rate fluctuations reduced the World Bank financing to around $93 million, while the Sindh government provided only $2 million against its original $5 million commitment.
The final evaluation recommended establishing stronger and clearer coordination mechanisms between federal and provincial authorities for future sub-national energy projects, particularly to ensure timely grid approvals and other regulatory clearances.
