The government has approved Rs 133 million for the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) to conduct feasibility study for enhancing its transmission capacity of 500 kV transmission network.
An official source said the study will benefit NTDC by exploring the impact of introducing advance technology like Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) including series shunt compensation and Power System Stabilizers (PSSs) on its primary 500 kV network. The 200 kV system has not been included in the scope of the study.
It is important to mention, NTDC operates and maintains twelve 500 KV and twenty nine 220 KV Grid Stations, 5077 km of 500 KV transmission line and 7359 km of 220 KV transmission line in Pakistan.
There is no PSDP allocation for the project in the current fiscal year. It has to be included in the PSDP for execution. It could be included only if reappropriation of existing power sector PSDP is made, the source added.
According to the project documents, NTDC has submitted total cost of Rs 133 million including a foreign exchange component of Rs 106.8 million. However, source of foreign financing of the project has not been provided. The company has assured that the consultants for study would be hired through international competitive bidding.
The new technologies will help enhance the transfer capability of NTDC’s network and bring it in line with the transmission requirement for anticipated generation expansion. The study will help examine future system scenarios with various combinations of upcoming generation and network expansion and will recommend enhancements in transmission capacity through FACTS devices or PSSs.
Pakistan is faced with an estimated 6000 MW deficit of energy which is badly impacting its economy. The daily long power outages have resulted in a two percent GDP loss to economy during the last decade. The government is aiming to add 10,000 MW in the national system till March 2018. Its top priority is to provide reliable and uninterrupted power to the consumers.
