This is the first CPEC project in the power evacuation and transmission sector
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday inaugurated Matiari to Lahore 600 KV High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the transmission line in Islamabad, Imran Khan said that with state-of-the-art technology losses would be limited to four percent on the line. Talking about the current line losses, the premier said average line losses at the moment are 17%, which causes the power sector to lose billions of rupees.
“Investment will be made in the transmission line projects to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the consumers whereas this 886-kilometer long state-of-the-art transmission line will help reduce power losses,” said the prime minister.
Pakistan’s first-ever HVDC transmission line
The transmission line, which is Pakistan’s first-ever 600KV HVDC line, will be 886 km long with a capacity to carry 4,000 megawatts of electricity. 1,973 towers have been constructed along the line for the transmission of electricity. The testing of the project has been completed and it is ready for regular electricity transmission.
First CPEC project in power sector
This is the first China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project in the power evacuation and transmission sector. Power Division of Pakistan and State Grid Corporation of China had signed the agreement for the construction of the 660kV Matiari-Lahore transmission line in 2018.
“It started from power generation, then road construction and now it is (power) transmission. The way forward would be industrialization for wealth generation purposes which would lessen our debt burden,” said the PM while referring to the ongoing CPEC projects.
Imran Khan mentioned that the power distribution sector of Pakistan was very old, particularly in the northern area, and this is the main reason behind the inadequate electricity supply in these areas.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong said that the Matiari-Lahore transmission line would strengthen the safety and reliability of the grid system, optimize energy distribution of the entire country and lower electricity costs.
The HDVC technology
The HVDC technology is a maiden addition to the national grid which will fulfill the need for long-distance high-power transmission from generating stations in far-flung areas to densely located load centers. The project is a milestone for NTDC when it comes to diversifying the national grid and building a reliable, efficient, and stable national grid. HVDC systems enable utilities to move more power further, efficiently integrate renewables, interconnect grids, and improve network performance