An Epic of Repeated failures to overcome energy crisis in Pakistan emphasizing the power transmission capacity enhancement.

We often see why energy problem of Pakistan are not yet resolved. The answer is very simple it is not on the top priority of our government and running elites. Do they feel the heat? Surely they don’t.

The question is, is it possible to construct such a mega plant in short time like to 2 to 3 years. The answer is very simple yes. We have recent example where Egypt is constructing the biggest power plant in collaboration with Siemens AG nearly equal to half of their present installed capacity and it will be ready within three years. Total new capacity will be 16.4 GW – 16,400 MW which is more than the present power available in network in Pakistan. However in Pakistan we have seen repeated failures to meet the deadlines of construction of many projects. Although the people those working in the field are often reminded time to time.

Leaving behind the power plant we should also know that once the power plants are constructed the power is usually distributed to remote location for which we need the transmission lines and grid stations capacity to carry the power to the respective people.

However we have not yet developed that network even which could do so. Let me quote the example when on July 4th 2014 an article in the various newspapers published that power grid cant cope with the demand where Ms Nargis Sethi former secretary power stated that we are not capable to handle it beyond 15,000 MW where as exactly after two years there is report from NEPRA that system is unable to carry the power from IPPs and Wapda is paying the hefty amount on the non utilization charges for the plants inaugurated by government on hefty basis for their popularity gains.

The question is what we learned from the former secretary Ms Nargis Sethi statement I must say nothing. As per Mr. Abid Sher Ali in July last year what he stated that Wapda has increased its transmission capacity to 16,300 MW and what he stated that by the end of 2016 the transmission capacity was supposed to be enhanced by 21,000 MW. Considering his view point true than we will be having additional 6000 MW Capacity which is equal to 40% what of Ms. Nargis Sethi said two years before.

 So we are really going to have this much capacity by this year end surely not. The enhancement of transmission capacity requires the construction of various transmission lines and construction of substation like 500 KV, 220 KV and 132 KV and addition of respective transformers to the network. As for as I know that nothing has been done this regard. Recently in Feb 2016 NTDC announced an expression of interst for tender documents for design of design of 765 / 220 KV New and expansion to 500 kv / 220 Old substation and what I understand that it is not even yet awarded to any party. So what I understand the claim made by State Minster is misleading and other terms just cheating to the nation.

Now coming to the point who is responsible for this act in no doubt it Water and Power Misntery top official including the Minstery .They must be brought to books and good expert person related to the field shall be hired to carryout the task.

Solution is all the power transmission enhancement project shall be carried out on priority basis with the understanding that Power Plants has to come in the network shortly as per our Prime Minster statement although I have doubt. Otherwise once your plants are energized and you do not have capacity to disperse the power as what happened in UCH 2 power Plants which is hefty inaugurated in April 2014 still fully can not come into the network for not presence of proper transmission lines as the old network used for UCH1 was used  and nation has been paying huge amount on non utilization charges. This could also happen to many other project including Nellam Jehlum Project if government not pay due attention to the matter related to Power transmission and distribution capacity enhancement.