NTDC brings 250MW wind power projects online

LAHORE: The National Transmission and Despatch Company Limited (NTDC) has connected another wind power plant at the Gharo area of Sindh with the national grid, bringing the total online renewable electricity in the province to more than 250 megawatts.
An official announcement said on Monday the NTDC has constructed a 9.5-kilometre of 132-kilovolt double circuit transmission line to transmit 50MW of electricity generated by the Foundation Wind Energy Limited (FWEL-I).
NTDC spokesman said the company has so far constructed more than 90km of 132kV double circuit transmission line at the difficult terrains of mountain and coastal belt to evacuate power from the wind power projects of Gharo and Jhimpir wind clusters.
The company has already connected four wind power plants of Sindh: Turkish Zorlu (56.2MW), Fauji Fertilizer Company Energy Limited (50MW), Chinese Three Gorges First Wind Farm Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd (50MW) and FWEL-II (50MW). The connection of the fourth one Sapphire is nearing completion.
The spokesman said the government is committed to mitigate electricity load shedding and to promote green energy. Investors are being facilitated through the timely completion of transmission lines both in Gharo and Jhimpir, which are the windy locations.
Dilating upon the future projects, he said NTDC is going to construct 220kV grid station with a capacity of 750 MVA auto transformer from New Jhimpir to Tando Muhammad Khan Road, Hyderabad and two 220kV double circuit transmission lines from Jhimpir to Gharo.
The spokesman said that ten wind power plants with production capacity of 50MW each are likely to be set up at Gharo wind corridor. The projects will help in meeting energy needs of agriculture, industrial and domestic consumers of Nooriabad, Jhimpir, Thatta, Mirpur Sakro and others areas of Sindh. “It will also provide a springboard for the industrial development in Nooriabad, Jhimpir and Thatta, besides creating employment opportunities,” he added.