Chakdara Grid Station to be energized in mid July

ISLAMABAD, June 11 (APP):Senate Standing Committee on Power Monday was apprised that 220 KV Chakdara Grid Station and 132KV Batkhela Grid Station will be completed by mid July and August respectively.
The committee which met with Fida Muhammad in the chair reviewed electricity demand, supply, shortfall, feeder wise losses and recovery, progress on Chakdara and Batkhela Grid Stations.
The committee was told that work on Chakdara Grid Station has already been completed and testing process was going on. The grid station would be fully energized in mid July which would help ensure smooth in Malakand Division and adjoining areas.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peshawar Electric Supply Company Dr Amjad told the Senate Panel that a sum of Rs. 9 billion would be required to remove system constraints. The PESCO distribution system could not withdraw more than 2000 MW from national grid resulting power outage in various areas, he said.
The CEO said 132 KV Grid Station Batkhela would be fully energized by August.
Secretary Power Division Yousaf Naseem Khokhar informed the committee that only approved load-management programme was being observed across the country. All power distribution companies (DISCOs) were directed to ensure the implementation plan, he said.
He said around 62 per cent feeders were totally exempted from power load-shedding.
To a question, the Secretary said the loss making DISCOs have no resources to remove system constraints and PESCO needed Rs 9 billion, SEPCO, Rs.3.5 billion and QESCO, Rs. 2 billion for augmentation of the system.
To another question, Yousaf Naseem said efforts were being made to convert all furnace oil power plant on cheaper resource.
Caretaker Minister for Power Syed Ali Zafar said we were going in right direction but it would take time.
He said the suggestion given by the members would help them a lot to address power related issues.
Senator Nauman Wazir said the ministry should stop interference in affairs of DISCOs and the boards of every companies should be independent.
Regarding losses, the committee was apprised that the average transmission and distribution losses of DISCOs stood at 17 per cent with PESCO, SEPCO and HESCO were on top having 36.6 per cent, 35.7 per cent and 29.1 per cent respectively losses.
The CEO PESCO said the company has almost 80 per cent domestic consumers, only one per cent industrial and 14 per cent commercial consumers.
He said feeders in Bannu, Karak, Laki Marwat, Hangu and FR areas adjoining to Kohat were giving around 50 per cent loss to the company.
He said out of total 992 feeders, 400 feeders needed complete rehabilitation which would cost around Rs9 billion.
The committee was further informed that in June, average shortfall remained around 4,500 MW due to less hydel generation. Now the hydel generation has been gradually increasing day by day and has crossed 5000 MW.
The meeting was attended by Senators Sadia Abbasi, Molvi Faiz Muhammad, Moula Bux Chandio, Muhammad Ali Saif, Aurangzeb Khan, CEOs HESCO, SEPCO, officials of NTDC and NPCC.