MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN

ISLAMABAD: Electricity loadshedding returned to the country Friday after majority of furnace oil/diesel-fired power plants, nuclear power plants and gas-based power plants, with a cumulative capacity of 8500 MW shut down due to smog, fuel supply issues and financial woes.

The furnace oil plants include 950 MW Hubco, 1000 MW Muzaffargarh, 400 MW Jamshoro and 700 MW Kapco. The diesel/furnace oil-fired plants which closed down under these conditions are Nishat power, Nishat Chunian, Liberty, Hubco Narowal, Atlas and Kohinoor Energy Limited (KEL), with a cumulative capacity of around 1200 MW.

Hydel generation average has also come down to 2700MW against its capacity of 7000MW due to less releases of water from reservoirs on provinces’ demand. 

SNGPL has also curtailed 200 mmcfd gas supply due to maintenance from November 3 to November 7 resulting in reduction of 500 MW in the system. The smog triggered tripping and led to forced closure of all Chashma Nuclear Power plants  (C1, C2, C3, C4) where, after necessary technical and security  protocol, the restoration is in progress and is expected to operate at full capacity in approximately 72 hours.

The government has experienced this kind of embarrassment at a time when it wanted to declare load shedding free country this month.

An official spokesperson of Power Division confirmed that under the directions of Federal Government, the power sector has also closed all expensive furnace oil/ diesel run power plants of a cumulative capacity of 4250MW.

Recently, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) at a recent meeting of federal cabinet criticized the government for not implementing power sector reforms that were initiated in the nineties in letter or spirit and not improving governance in NTDC, Discos and Gencos.

Informed, sources told Business Recorder that the Power Division’s almost all companies are being run by Power Division’s non-technical officers on ad hoc basis due to which the entire power sector is at risk.

According to the regulator 55 percent 220 kV and 44.30 percent 132 kV transmission lines are overloaded: in Punjab 64 percent 220 kV and 41 percent 132 kV are overloaded followed by Sindh’s 35 percent 220 kV and 47.50 per 132 kV, KPK 57 percent 220 kV and 47.60 132 kV and Balochistan 58.40 percent 132 kV.

Power Division has also claimed that national transmission and distribution system on Friday successfully averted major cascade due to tripping at 11 main  500kV and 220 kV NTDC’s circuits/grid stations caused by unprecedented severe dense smog in the Punjab which could have led to blackout in case of non-existence of system protections.

These circuits/grid Stations include 500kV Multan - DG Khan, 500kV Guddo 747 circuit tripped along with Multan Bus Bar-1, 500kV Multan-Yousafwala circuit, 220kV Mgarh ph1- Bhwlpr cct 1 trip @0442hrs, 220kV Multan-Vehari circuits -I & II, 220kV Vehari-Kassowal circuits - I & II, 220kV Kassowal-Yousafwala circuits - I & II, 220kV Multan-Muzaffargarh circuit-4, 220kV Multan-Kapco circuit-4 500kV Multan, 220kV Vehari, Kasowal & Chishtian Grids and 220kV Yousfwala-Okara circuit. 

“These factors in combination are negatively affecting the demand and supply situation in the country and the power distribution system needs load management for a certain period,” the spokesperson added.  

The unprecedented severe dense smog is posing serious challenge to the national transmission system and the Power Division, NPCC, NTDC and DISCOs are closely monitoring the situation. Special teams and line formations have been deputed by NTDC and DISCOs to meet any emergent situation due to the weather conditions. Patrolling of all high transmission lines has been increased by NTDC.

The Power Division, according to spokesperson has directed the NPCC to chalk out a well managed emergency load management plan for 72 hours till restoration of 1200 MW nuclear power plants. 

“A separate load management plan after approximately 72 hours based on demand supply situation is also being prepared by the NPCC. However since demand is declining with decrease in temperature, therefore the situation is soon expected to show an improvement,” he added

Distribution companies are also directed to ensure maximum relief to the consumers besides keeping the draw under the allocated quotas to ensure stability in the system. The distribution companies are further directed to circulate the load management plan within their areas of operation for consumer information.