Bin Qasim power station: strategy to raise power generation devised

Following the termination of operation and management (O&M) agreement with Siemens, the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) has devised a new strategy to enhance the power generation capacity of its Bin Qasim power station from 1000 MW to 1200 MW.
According to the agreement, signed between the KESC and Siemens, the later was responsible to upgrade the six generating units of 220 MW each at Bin Qasim power station in two years. But only three out of them were partially upgraded in the stipulated time, the KESC sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday.
According to the sources, Technical Evolution Director Tariq Noor has been given an additional charge of the Director, Generation, to supervise the project, which was expected to be completed by 2008.
The sources further said the KESC had also accelerated the development work at its 220 MW combined cycle power plant at Korangi, which was expected to start production before next summer. Two open-cycle turbines had already been installed at its bay and two more gas turbines would be installed soon at the plant, said the sources.
KESC officials expected that the plant would start its 194 MW supply by April 2007 that would help overcome the power needs of the city in next summer. The work on the remaining 26 MW closed-cycle steam turbine would start in the next phase. The sources said the KESC was also starting a major upgradation work of extra high-tension lines at its 18 grid stations from Wednesday (November 14).
The replacement of overhead transmission lines at different grid stations and enhancement of their capacity would be included in the work that would continue till December 11, said the sources.
The up-gradation work would be carried out at KDA, Surjani, North Karachi, Civic Centre, Valika, Orangi, Baldia, SITE, Haroonabad, Liaquatabad, Lyari, Old Town, Queens Road, Clifton, Gizri, Elander Road, Federal "A" and "B" Areas' grid stations.
Soon after the completion of upgradation of grid stations, supply of power to the consumers would become stable in the respective areas, KESC officials claimed. It may be mentioned here that Siemens had withdrawn its 78 personnel from the KESC on November 8 after the termination of O&M agreement.
Earlier, it was feared that the withdrawal of personnel and agreement termination by Siemens might damage the KESC operations and services widely. However, the KESC officials were of the view that no such negative impact was occurred as they had already chalked out an alternate plan and made proper arrangements by replacing all Siemens seconded employees.