NTDC begins construction of 113km long 500kV transmission line

LAHORE: The National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) has started construction of 113km long 500 kV double circuit quad bundle transmission line from Nokkhar Grid Station Gujranwala to the Lahore North Grid Station, which will be subsequently connected with the HVDC Converter Station, Lahore for dispersal of power.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony, held near Gujranwala, NTDC managing director Engr Manzoor Ahmad said that the project will facilitate the dispersal of power from 660kV bipolar converter station Lahore by connecting the two 500kV circuits of HVAC transmission lines with the national grid.

The project will also help in dispersal of 969MW Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project with the national grid, he added.

Ahmad said that the transmission line project will be completed with the cost of Rs8.305 billion. The project will help improve the voltage profile and power supply system of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and Gujranwala Electric Power Company.

It will help reduce the forced load-shedding in the areas of Ravi, Kala Shah Kaku, Ghazi Road, Bund Road, Muridke, Kamoki, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala.

In addition to improving the reliability and stability of NTDC, Lesco and Gepco networks, the project will cater to the growing electricity demand of consumers of aforementioned areas.

Ahmed said that the project will also support the government’s plan for rural electrification programme in terms of village electrification. It will also help meet the demand of agricultural, industrial and commercial consumers, which will increase income generation and job opportunities of the relevant areas.

The NTDC is ambitiously working on different projects of transmission lines and grid stations across the country and construction work is being completed on a fast-track basis, he said.

Chinese construction company CET vice president Zhang Lei, senior officers of NTDC, Nespak and Chinese construction company CET were also present during the groundbreaking ceremony.