ISLAMABAD: The high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) transmission line project under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and several other similar schemes will help Pakistan to overcome the energy crisis, WealthPK reports.
Pakistan’s economic progress has always been hampered by the shortage of power. The execution of the HVDC transmission line project under CPEC is a landmark achievement for Pakistan.
CPEC will enable the country to boost industrial production, upgrade energy and communication infrastructure and improve regional connectivity. The 660 kilovolts Matiari-Lahore HVDC transmission project has been continuously supplying stable, high quality and clean electric power to almost 10 million households in Pakistan since its operationalisation in September 2021. It has the capacity of transmitting 35 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
“China’s HVDC technology has lighted up Pakistan. The project is guided by the concept of green and low-carbon development, which China is actively practicing. It has brought green and clean electricity to Pakistan,” said Yuan Jie, the deputy director of the construction, operation, and maintenance department of Pak Matiari-Lahore Transmission Company.
He said that huge capacity, long-distance transmission, high efficiency and low losses are the four main advantages of the project, serving as a guarantee of minimising its environmental impact.
Saeed Ahmed, the assistant manager of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company, told WealthPK that a cost-effective and efficient network of long-distance power transmission lines is becoming a requirement to connect different parts of the country. “HVDC is a new technology in Pakistan. It has emerged as a viable option for overcoming the energy challenges and transporting the bulk of power from remote generating locations to load centres,” he added.
He said that the government wants to import power from neighbouring countries like Iran, China and Tajikistan so it might also be utilised for such purposes. “Significant reduction line losses would save billions of rupees. It will also decrease the power tariff to facilitate consumers. It transfers more power per conductor/circuit efficiently and reliably,” he added.
The project incorporates many Chinese aspects, from personnel training to equipment help. The State Grid Corporation of China has invested in it and is operating it in line with Chinese standards. The Chinese companies have provided around 98 percent of the equipment for the project. The Matiari converter station receives electricity from the Port Qasim power plant through a 185km-long 500kV AC transmission line and from the Hubco power plant through a 200km-long 500kV AC transmission line.
In Sindh province, the line passes through the districts of Matiari, Sanghar, Khairpur, Sukkur and Ghotki, covering a distance of approximately 315 kilometres.
In Punjab province, the line passes through the districts of Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawal Nagar, Pak Pattan, Okara, Kasur and Nankana, covering a distance of approximately 551 kilometres, according to WealthPK research.
To overcome the energy crisis, Pakistan has signed many accords for initiating energy projects under CPEC. The projects are expected to bring transformational changes in the economy of Pakistan.
–INP
