Power woes: Weak infrastructure plunges Hazara into darkness

PESCO has proposed separate grid station for region.

ABBOTABAD: The power crisis in Hazara has been exacerbated by the absence of a separate grid station  and the failure to repair outdated transmission lines.

This was stated in a proposal sent to Wapda officials and lawmakers based in the region earlier this week by Pesco.



According to a copy of this proposal available with The Express Tribune, officials of the power company have drawn attention to technical losses in power lines, low voltage and prolonged power outages in the region. Under this proposal, Pesco has urged Wapda and lawmakers to play their part in addressing the grievances faced by residents. Furthermore, it has also offered a series of solutions to rectify the problem.

Sole supplier

An official privy to the matter told The Express Tribune there were only a few hundred electricity consumers in Hazara nearly five decades ago. However, as the number of consumers have increased manifold over the years, there is a pressing need to develop an alternative solution.

“For many years, Hazara has received its power supply from Burhan Grid Station near Hassan Abdal,” he said. “At least 24 grid stations of varying capacities receive their supply from the grid station in Hassan Abdal. However, the number of electricity consumers in Hazara has increased to 0.55 million. This has created considerable pressure on the grid station and led to a power crisis.”

According to the proposal, the grid station provides electricity to 475,000 domestic, 1,000 agricultural, 3,000 industrial and 47,500 commercial consumers. Furthermore, Burhan Grid Station also provides electricity to Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Azad Kashmir.

Beyond repair

The proposal has also raised concerns over obsolete infrastructure in Hazara. As per the document, consumers obtain electricity through 6,500 kilometres of high-tension lines and 13897.823 kilometres of low-tension lines.



“There are 9,500 transformers of various capacities ranging from 50kV to 200kV,” read the proposal. “Most of these transmission lines are five decades old and worn out. This has resulted in technical losses. More often than not, frequent power outages are needed to ensure the transmission system does not malfunction.”

According to the document, outdated transmission lines have deprived Kohistan, Battagram and Torghar of electricity and led to massive revenue losses for Pesco.

Overhaul

Pesco has proposed that a separate grid station of 220kV should be set up to meet consumer needs.

According to the proposal, Wapda has already purchased land in Mansehra for the initiative.

“The new station will receive its power supply from Tarbela powerhouse through Tanawal area,” stated the document. “Once the grid station is set up, Haripur and Abbottabad districts will have their own Pesco circle. Mansehra, Kohistan and Muzaffarabad will be under the administrative control of another Pesco circle with a separate superintending engineer.”

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi said Wapda has also allocated funds for the project.

“Work on the project will begin next month and be completed by the end of next year,” he said. “The grid station will reduce the power woes of Hazara’s residents and also create job opportunities for locals who gave away their land for the construction of Tarbela Dam.”

Pesco Hazara circle Superintending Engineer Qazi Tahir was not available for comments. However, Wapda Hydroelectric Central Labour Union provincial vice chairman Jamil Akhtar said the region’s parliamentarians have been taken on board to discuss the proposals.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2015.