Clean energy projects: KP Cabinet approves amendments to existing SOPs framework

ISLAMABAD: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Cabinet has reportedly approved amendments to the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) framework to incorporate regulated provisions for transmission lines and associated infrastructure related to clean energy projects, subject to strict environmental safeguards, sources in the Power Division told Business Recorder.

The Secretary of the Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department informed the Cabinet that the federal government, through the National Grid Company (NGC), is executing the 765 kV Dasu–Mansehra–Islamabad Transmission Line Project (Lot-I and Lot-II). The Power Division has requested the issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to facilitate construction of the transmission line.

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According to the provincial government, the proposed alignment — including access roads — traverses designated forest areas in Upper and Lower Kohistan, Hazara Tribal, Siran, AgrorTanawal, Gallies, Haripur, and Alpuri Forest Divisions, as well as certain private lands. The NGC and the Revenue Department have indicated that alternative alignments are not technically feasible due to the challenging high-hill terrain. Compensation for land and trees in private areas will be processed through the respective Deputy Commissioners.

The Cabinet was further informed that tree removal and road construction are regulated under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Ordinance, 2002. Sections 21(1), 33(2), and 44(b) allow certain otherwise prohibited activities, subject to policy directions and prescribed procedures. Existing SOPs, approved by the Provincial Cabinet, regulate activities such as road construction, water supply schemes, telecommunication towers, and prefabricated structures; however, they do not specifically address high-voltage transmission infrastructure.

It was noted that previous Cabinet decisions dated January 5, 2022, and July 19, 2022, had already recognized the need to facilitate nationally significant clean energy projects, subject to environmental safeguards. Given the national importance of the transmission line and the absence of explicit provisions in the current SOPs, the Department proposed amendments to formally include transmission lines and associated infrastructure.

The Cabinet was requested to approve: (i) amendments to the SOPs to include regulated provisions for transmission lines and towers related to nationally significant clean energy projects, subject to environmental safeguards; and (ii) communication to the federal government outlining key requirements prior to final operational clearance, including: (a) optimization of corridor width to minimize tree loss while ensuring safety standards; (b) rationalization of tower base dimensions to reduce unnecessary tree removal; (c) joint surveys for reassessment of alignment, corridor width, and tree enumeration; (d) submission of final tree count, valuation, and compensatory plans for review; and (e) incorporation of environmental mitigation, compensatory afforestation, and carbon offset measures.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026