K-Electric's US$ 450 million Transmission Enhancement Project (TP-1000), which aims at ensuring a smoother and more reliable power network, is likely to be completed this year. The project, which was initiated back in 2016, will add over 1,000 MVAs into Karachi's transmission system which will help improve the power supply system of the power utility. These views were shared by Moonis Alvi, CEO K-Electric, while talking to Business Recorder. Different companies are working as vendors on the project including Siemens.
Out of seven planned grids under this project, three grids have already been commissioned, including a 220 KV grid while the construction of others is in full swing. The project will be completed this year. Moonis said, "TP-1000 will go a long way towards strengthening our ability to transmit the additional power that we have requested from the national grid."
Talking about the scope of the project, he informed that TP-1000 includes 7 new grid stations along with new power transformers and circuits and up-gradation of existing transmission infrastructure. The three grids commissioned have been installed Surjani, Shadman, and Old Golimar areas, whereas work underway for remaining grids at Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Bin Qasim, Labour Square and Gadap areas of the metropolis.
"It is a part of the utility's commitment and vision to serve its customers by investing in infrastructure. To accommodate the growing power demand of the city, KE has planned investments across the value chain. Through continuous up gradation and construction of new network, the power supply would improve further for our valuable customers," he said. The power company has already invested US$ 2.1 billion in the city's power infrastructure since 2009. As a result of these investments, K-Electric has substantially improved services for Karachi's consumers and businesses.
Amongst other initiatives, the company added 1,057 MW of generation and reduced line losses from 36 percent to almost 20 percent. These improvements have enabled the company to make over 70 percent of Karachi load-shed free (from 23 percent in 2009), including all industrial customers.
K-Electric additionally created 30 Customer Care Centres to improve and enhance customer engagement.
Adding new generation capabilities and strengthening its transmission and distribution network are currently K-Electric's highest priorities. In 2018 alone, he said KE has added 76 feeders and 1,721 PMTs/substations - resulting in an improvement of 3 percent and 7 percent in distribution and transmission capacity respectively.
The power utility is also working to diversify its fuel mix towards clean energy and in this regard, two 25-year EPAs with IPPs have already been signed which will add 100 MW of renewable energy to KE's system by 2019. Additionally, KE is also evaluating another 250 MWs of renewable projects to further increase the share of renewable energy based on solar, wind and biogas, in its system.
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