The National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) has connected the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) system with High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) system for the first time in Pakistan, according to a statement issued on Thursday.
For this purpose, the NTDC spokesman said, around three kilometres long 500kV AC transmission line i.e. 500kV double circuit transmission line on quad-bundled drake conductor, for looping in/out of the second circuit of 500kV Lahore (south) grid station to Sheikhupura transmission line at Balloki Lahore HVDC Converter Station, has been completed and energised.
The spokesman said that the government has planned the installation of about 4,000MW power plants, including imported coal-based power plants at Bin Qasim and Hub and Thar coal-based Power Plants in Thar area of the country.
These power plants will be connected with 500kV Matiari switching station through 500kV HVAC transmission lines. Moreover, 890km-long 660kV HVDC bipole transmission line from Matiari to Lahore along with converter stations at both ends will be constructed by an independent transmission company on BOOT basis for the transfer of bulk power from Matiari to upcountry load centres.
The spokesman said that the purpose of HVAC transmission lines is for reliable dispersal of power coming from south to mid-country (load centres) via HVDC bipoles.
NTDC Managing Director Engr Dr Khawaja Riffat Hassan appreciated the efforts of NTDC team for timely completion of the project despite prevailing COVID-19 and lockdown situation in the country.
