ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved technical assistance worth $1.8 million for preparation of a hydro-power development plan for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The plan entails scope for investment and carrying out of power sector assessment.

The ADB would provide $1.5m in grant using bank`s technical assistance special fund.

While the government has a plan to invest in the power sector projects, there is a need to conduct a detailed due diligence to process the clean energy investment project and loan, the bank said.

Major activities to be undertaken under technical assistance would beassessment of energy sector, regulatory framework and off-grid electrification policies.

The sector assessment report with recommendations for the development of offgrid policies will be submitted to the government by August.

Under the technical assistance, business models for sustainable off-grid projects will be developed and renewable energy projects to be prepared by May.

The draft renewable energy assessment report, including capacity assessment of local renewable energy manufacturers, distributors and project developers, will be finalised soon.

The Pakhtunkhwa Electricity Development Organisation and the Energy Department in Punjab would be the executing agencies for the project which would complete this year.