Balloki power plant hooked into national grid: NTDC

LAHORE: National Transmission and Despatch Company Ltd (NTDC) has hooked 1200MW RLNG-based Balloki Power Plant located in Kasur District into the country’s power-starved national grid, an official said on Monday. 

“The plant has been connected to the system for upcountry supply through a 40 kilometer long 500kV transmission line (Balloki–Shaikhupura),” an NTDC spokesman said.

Moving forward, the spokesman disclosed that nine towers of 500kv Guddu-DG Khan transmission line had collapsed due to a powerful windstorm and torrential rains in various parts of Rajanpur. “The NTDC engineers, however, restored the power supply in the affected areas through alternate sources,” he added.

He explained that continuous flow of rainwater from the mountains of Balochistan led to the collapse of power pylons some 20 kilometers away from Guddu. “Our engineers and contractors are in the field, while restoration work is being supervised by the general manager asset management and chief engineer Multan,” said he.

The official said that the teams were facing difficulties in terms of transportation of men and material to the sites due to waterlogging and muddy conditions in the area.  “Dr Fiaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Managing Director NTDC, is monitoring the rehabilitation activities, whereas the field teams have been instructed to complete the restoration work in shortest possible time,” the spokesman said.