As many as 1,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity has disappeared from the national grid owing to tripping of power lines of the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC), a spokesman of the Power Division said on Tuesday.
He said the tripping was the reason behind intermittent power cuts across the country since last week.
The spokesman said power plants affected by the tripping included Chashma Nuclear Power Plant I-IV.
He added that three LNG plants – Haveli, Bhikki and Baloki – with a combined production capacity of 3,600 MW, were also not operating due to testing.
He assured that Chashma I and II would soon be operational, whereas restoration of the other two plants would take time.
Meanwhile, the power system faced another breakdown following the testing of LNG-based plants in Punjab. According to the Ministry of Energy, power plants in Daudkhel, Bannu, Ludewala and the Chashnupp tripped today at 1:30 am on Tuesday, resulting in supply failure.
The ministry said that supply was later restored and the 220KV NTDC lines were energised, but restoration of generation would take some time.
Hydel generation has remained below average in the country as water released from the reservoirs has remained low. In addition, new plants at Neelum-Jhelum are still in their testing phase, and not contributing to the national grid.
“In order to keep the system safe and to bridge the demand and supply gap, few hours of temporary load management is being introduced in all distribution companies, stated the ministry. The introduction of load management by DISCOs is proportional to the losses.
“Consumers are being informed via SMS, local sub divisional offices, Roshan Pakistan App and others means regarding the load management in their areas. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are in close contact with the management at these plants.”
“The consumers will be provided relief as soon as any plant starts generation. The Power Division will also post updated information regarding the situation.”
The Power Division appealed to the consumers to adopt energy conservation practices so that the maximum number of consumers fewer electricity interruptions.
Published in Daily Times, May 2nd 2018.
