Delays affect more than $4 billion in foreign-funded energy projects.

Problems with contracts, equipment purchases, and land acquisition are causing delays in a number of energy projects financed by foreign financial agencies.

A report from the Economic Affairs Division states that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank provide the majority of the funding for the projects.

These institutions have helped to support 15 energy projects that are now underway, totaling more than $4.31 billion. On the other hand, only 8% to 35% of certain projects have made any progress.

To date, the World Bank has disbursed $930 million and is funding seven projects totaling $2.48 billion. These projects include the CASA 1000 electrical transmission project, which is delayed because of the situation in Afghanistan, and important projects like Dasu Phase-1, Tarbela-V, the National Transmission Modernization Project, and substation upgrades.

In a similar vein, the ADB has issued $904 million of the $1.83 billion in projects it is financing. The Secondary Power Transmission Expansion project and the Jamshoro Power Generation project are two examples.

After early delays, officials said that work is proceeding at a reasonably satisfactory pace despite the slow progress. They mention how much work is being done to solve the problems that are creating bottlenecks.