NTDC commissions 600MVA transformer at Sahiwal

The National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) has successfully commissioned 600MVA transformer at 500kV Yousafwala grid station at Sahiwal.

According to a statement issued on Saturday, the transformer has been successfully energised on full load.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, NTDC Managing Director Dr Khawaja Riffat Hassan said that installation work of 500/220kV 600MVA autotransformer at Yousafwala grid station has enhanced the capacity of the plant to 1,800MVA at 500kV level.

According to the MD, the latest installation would improve power supply to areas falling under Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) including Sahiwal, Chichawatni, Pakpattan, Arifwala, Kassowal, Vehari, Chishtian.

He continued that areas falling under Lahore Electric Supply Company Limited (Lesco) such as Okara, Sarfaraz Nagar Lahore as well as a few areas of Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) would benefit as well.

“Resultantly, overloading of the system will be reduced and forced load-shedding will end,” he said.

Hassan added that to enhance the power system transmission capacity as part of its constraints management strategy, NTDC was vigorously pursuing completion of installation work of autotransformers at 220kV Gakkhar grid station and 500kV Rawat grid station.

The company would install 160MVA transformer at Ghakkar grid station Gujranwala to complete installation on emergency basis during the ongoing summers, he underlined. The Gakkhar grid station is located near industrial hub of Gujranwala and adjoining districts.

“Soaring demand of electricity on the back of ever rising industrial and commercial activities in the region causes overloading of currently operational autotransformers at the grid station,” he said.

Moreover, a 160MVA autotransformer is being installed at Rawat grid station Rawalpindi. After completion of installation work, total capacity of the grid station would increase to 910MVA at 220kV level.

The transformer will not only share the load of other transformers of the same grid station but also the areas of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) and Rawalpindi District, Islamabad Capital Territory.

In addition, Jhelum and Chakwal districts will also have improved voltage profile and low forced load shedding.

“The transformer is likely to be energised during the ongoing summers,” he said.

NTDC MD assured that the installation work of transformers will be completed on a fast-track basis so that uninterrupted power supply is provided for the comfort of consumers of respective distribution companies of Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) and Iesco.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2020.

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