According to a report, a power transformer of the Western origin, installed at Tarbela hydropower station has been repaired and re-commissioned on May 14, utilising indigenous human and physical resources only.
This is for the first time, perhaps, in the history of WAPDA that the Pakistani engineers, without any foreign technical expertise, have accomplished such a gigantic and sensitive job, within a record time of twenty-one days.
This 71-MVA capacity, 500 kV power transformer installed at Tarbela power station 10 was badly damaged in October last, apparently due to overloading in the system that had triggered a major power breakdown. All efforts to get it repaired locally had failed as the necessary facilities are not available and manufacturers of power transformers in Pakistan, namely, Heavy Electrical Complex and Siemens, had declared the unit unserviceable.
This however did not deter the Chief Engineer of Tarbela who at his own initiative, arranged for the assessment of the damage done to the transformer, undertaking repair and conducting requisite tests and subsequently doing its installation and re-commissioning, all by his technical team.
The transformer now successfully put on operation again has reportedly saved WAPDA-and the nation-of about one-and-a-half billion rupees and at least six months' time in repairs abroad. However, the most significant feature of this job is the effective enhancement in power transmission that is so badly needed at present to meet peak demand of electricity countrywide, since 500 kV system provides main power flow route between north and south.
Indeed, the action on the part of WAPDA Tarbela engineers is commendable. The government should reward them suitably, with a view to acknowledging their talent and hard work. This appreciation will also inspire and motivate other engineers working at various national organisations to achieve self-reliance in their respective fields in coming years.
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