Abstract This paper attempts to minimize power losses in radial distribution networks and facilitates an enhancement in bus voltage profile by determining optimal locations, optimally sized distributed generators and shunt capacitors by hybrid Harmony Search Algorithm approach. To overcome the drawback of premature and slow convergence of Harmony Search Algorithm (HSA) over multi model fitness landscape, the Particle Artificial Bee Colony algorithm (PABC) is utilized to enhance the harmony memory vector. In the first approach, the formulation echoes the determination of loss sensitivity factor to decide the sensitive nodes and thereafter decides on the optimal rating through the use of hybrid Algorithm. The second approach encircles the role of hybrid Algorithm to search for both the optimal candidate nodes and sizing of compensating devices by significant increase in loss reduction with the former approach. The procedure travels to examine the robustness of the proposed hybrid approach on 33 and 119 node test systems and the result outcomes are compared with the other techniques existing in the literature. The simulation results reveal the efficiency of the proposed hybrid algorithm in obtaining optimal solution for simultaneous placement of distributed generators and shunt capacitors in distribution networks.