NTDC completes four 500kv transmission line circuits

LAHORE: In pursuits of early completion of its projects, the National Transmission & Despatch Company Limited (NTDC) has completed four more 500 kV transmission line circuits for evacuation of electricity from power plants located in southern parts of the country.

The transmission line circuits have been connected with HVDC Converter Station at Matiari. In this regard, a virtual ceremony of energization of transmission lines circuits was held at Wapda House here on Sunday in the presence of Managing Director NTDC Engr Dr Khawaja Riffat Hassan and others.

Elaborating the details of completed transmission line projects, the NTDC spokesman has said that two 500 kV transmission line circuits for direct connection from 1320 MW Port Qasim coal-fired power plant to HVDC Matiari converter station has been energized. While other two 500 kV transmission line circuits for looping in/out with existing 500 kV Jamshoro-Dadu Circuit-I have been energised and connected with HVDC Matiari converter station at Hyderabad. Earlier, the said transmission line was feeding the grid through in/out arrangement at 500 kV Jamshoro-Dadu Circuit-II. These transmission lines shall result in connection of four more 500 kV circuits, in addition to the already commissioned four 500 kV circuits, which will further strengthen the 500 kV NTDC network at Matiari Converter Station.

This will also help and facilitate for high power testing on ±660 kV HVDC Matiari – Lahore transmission line starting from May 1, 2021. The spokesman said that for evacuation of electricity from Sindh based power plants, NTDC had planned 10 circuits/transmission lines, out of which, eight 500 kV HVAC transmission line circuits have been completed and energized.

However, the remaining two transmission line circuits will be completed subsequently. These transmission lines will evacuate power from aforementioned power plant. Consequently, this power will be transmitted to the Northern load centres of the country through ±660 kV HVDC Matiari– Lahore transmission line CPEC project. The spokesman added that that the transmission facility will primarily be utilised to transmit power generated from indigenous Thar coal-based power generation projects with the aim to enhance the share of indigenous fuel-based generation while saving the significant amount of foreign exchange. Managing Director NTDC Engr Dr Khawaja Riffat Hassan appreciated the efforts of NTDC engineers, consultants and contractors for completion of transmission line projects.