Federal government is likely to initiate action against Managing Director National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) Dr Fiaz Ahmad Chaudhry for failing to complete projects related to CPEC projects, well informed sources told Business Recorder NTDC's board, sources said, is also not satisfied with the performance of the incumbent Managing Director. In April 2017, Prime Minister observed that insufficient capacity of transmission and distribution system would mar the efforts of the government to resolve the energy crisis.
While updating the progress on Matiari-Lahore Transmission Line Project, Managing Director, NTDC informed the meeting that it was the first High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) project in the country, being constructed by China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co, Ltd (CET)/ State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) under the CPEC program.
The Prime Minister observed that Matiari-Lahore Transmission Line project had already been delayed considerably; it should have been completed well before the addition of new generation to the national grid. The Managing Director NTDC stated that the delay occurred due to a dispute over tariff determination by Nepra. Moreover, since the projects in Thar are also delayed, early completion of line would have entailed capacity charges. Synchronisation of HVDC line with COD of power plants is a desirable goal.
Secretary to Prime Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad was of the view that the main challenge in the energy sector was transmission and distribution capacity to fully utilise additional generation in the system. There was a dire need to complete transmission line projects as early as possible for evacuation of generation to be added through construction of new power plants. The Prime Minister directed Ministry of Water and Power to complete the Matiari-Lahore Transmission Line project within the given time line. The NTDC MD is also facing criticism for his refusal to sign PPA agreement with the newly-approved coal-fired power plant in Rahim Yar Khan.