Govt to invest Rs111bn in transmission system

November 29, 2021 (MLN): The government is all set to invest Rs111 billion in different power transmission projects during the next three years, official sources told APP on Monday.

The transmission line projects would be executed in different areas of the country.

Despite having surplus electricity in the system, the transmission lines were unable to transmit more than 18,000 MW of electricity, they noted.

Soon after the inception of the incumbent government, huge investment was made in the transmission system in the last three years resulting in transmitting over 25,000 MW for the first time in the country's history.

As per the sources, the flagship project under CPEC ±660 kV HVDC Matiari- Lahore Transmission Line has recently achieved its commercial operation date (COD) successfully as per the agreed timeline between National Transmission and Despatch Company Ltd (NTDC) and Pak Matiari-Lahore Transmission Line Company (PMLTC).

The 878 kilometers 4000 MW project has been completed by Pak-Matiari Lahore Transmission Company (Pvt) Limited, on a Built-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis for a term of 25 years.

The project will evacuate power from the new generating units located in the south including Thar coal-based projects.

HVDC technology is a maiden addition in the national grid of the country, though it’s been widely used for a long time around the world, and the need for long-distance high-power transmission from generating stations in the far-flung areas towards densely located load centers, It said.

The said project is a milestone for NTDC when it comes to diversifying the national grid and it will serve a great deal towards NTDC's mission of a reliable, efficient, and stable national grid.

The NTDC has also started construction of a 113 km long 500 kV double circuit quad bundle Transmission Line from Nokkhar grid station Gujranwala to Lahore North Grid Station, which will be subsequently connected with HVDC Converter Station, Lahore for dispersal of power, a report by APP also highlighted.

The transmission line project would be completed with the cost of Rs8.3 billion which would help in the dispersal of the 969MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project with National Grid.

The project would also help in the improvement of voltage profile and power supply system of LESCO & GEPCO areas. It would help in reducing the forced load shedding in the areas of Ravi, Kala Shah Kaku, Ghazi Road, Bund Road, Muridky, Kamoki, Sheikhupura & Gujranwala, it added.

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