The energy sector of Pakistan is facing the problem of load shedding since long. Reliable and un-interruptible power to all the electricity consumers is indispensable for the fast-track progress of the country.
Remarkable Accomplishment of first ever 123 KV Provincial Transmission Line of 99 KM by Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company
The Government of Sindh took an initiative to construct 100 MW gas fired combined cycle power plant under Public Private Partnership mode in the vicinity of Nooriabad in the name of Sindh Nooriabad Power Company (Pvt) Limited - SNPC. The Buyer of the power is K-Electric and hence Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is signed between SNPC & K-Electric.
For the transportation of power from SNPC to K-Electric, the Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company (Pvt) Limited - STDC which is wholly owned by the Government of Sindh, constructed 132 kV Double Circuit Transmission Line. The approximate length of the Transmission Line is 100 kms and Tower/Monopole locations are 507 as per Plan & Profile. The conductor used is ACSR Rail and Disc insulators are of Porcelain type. There were many locations where access for the logistics was very challenging due to tough and difficult terrain but this problem was also overcome through smart planning by limited available technical team of STDC.During the whole construction activity, STDC strictly remained committed to the Policy of Zero Tolerance in HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) protocols. As a result we have achieved zero accident record.
The most challenging task encountered during the construction of the Transmission Line was the handling of Right of Way (ROW) at various locations. However; this issue was resolved time to time although with many difficulties. The O&M (Operation and maintenance) of the transmission line will also be carried out under the command and control of STDC itself and all the standardized SOPs will be followed with the true spirit. STDC is fully capable of constructing any transmission line of 132 kV, 220 kV and 500 kV. We have already achieved ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and currently working on certification of ISO 55000 which pertains to Asset Management. Today I feel proud that the First ever Transmission Line project of STDC concluded in great success.
The on-going Transmission Network of the country is already over-loaded which is also a bottleneck in evacuation of power from new power plants and smooth load flow in the system. No doubt construction of new transmission lines have become inevitable. In parallel it is highly recommended to replace the existing conventional conductor by ACCC (Aluminum Conductor Composite Core) on the over loaded transmission lines. The current carrying capacity of this innovative conductor is 2 to 2.5 times more than its equivalent size conductor. Other advantages include Low Sag, higher operating temperature and less coefficient of thermal expansion. In this arrangement, the major issue of acquisition of ROW (Right of Way) is totally eliminated as new conductor has to be replaced on the existing transmission line route.
The utilization of renewable energy particularly Solar and Wind must be encouraged on war footing basis. The current contribution of sustainable energy in Pakistan is less than 5% of the total installed capacity. Fortunately Pakistan is blessed with both Solar and Wind resources and Government of Pakistan has already taken strong initiative in this direction for the brighter future of the country.