PR No. 24 Smog Led Tripping, Closure Of Expensive Furnace/Diesel Fired Plants & Cut Of 200 mmcfd Gas Results In Temporary Load Management Islamabad: 3rd November, 2017

The National Transmission and Distribution system today successfully averted major cascade due to tripping at 11 main  500KV and 220 KV NTDC’s circuits/Grid stations caused by unprecedented severe dense smog in the Punjab regions which could have led to blackout in case of non-existence of system protections.

The smog triggered tripping has also led to forced closure of all Chashma Nuclear Power plants  (C1, C2, C3, C4) where after necessary technical and security  protocol the restoration is in progress and it is expected to get full capacity in approximately 72 hours.

These circuits/grid Stations includes 500kv Multan - DG khan. khan, 500kV Guddo747 circuit tripped along with Multan Bus Bar-1, 500kv Multan-Yousafwala circuit, 220KV Mgarh ph1 _Bhwlpr cct 1 trip @0442hrs, 220kv Multan-Vehari circuits -I & II, 220kv Vehari- Kassowal circuits -I & II, 220kv Kassowal- Yousa Fwala circuits -I & II, 220kv Multan-M/ garh circuit -4, 220kv Multan-Kapco circuit-4 500kv multan- , 220kv Vehari  ,kasowal & chishtian Grids and 220kv Yousfwala- Okara circuit, 

Under the directions of Federal Government, the Power sector has also closed all expensive furnace oil/ diesel run power plants of a cumulative  capacity of 4250MW . The furnace oil plants includes 950 MW Hubco, 1000 MW Muzafargarh, 400 MW Jamshoro and  700 MW KAPCO. The diesel/furnace oil  fired plants which are closed under the redirections are Nishat power, Nishar Chunian Power, Liberty, Hubco Norwal, Atlas and Kel, of cumulative capacity around 1200MW.

Besides the hydel generation average has also come down to 2700MW against its capacity of 7000MW due to less releases of water from reservoirs on provinces demand. 

The SNGPL has also curtained 200 mmcfd gas supplies due to maintenance between 3rd November to 7th November resulting reduction of 500 MW in the system. 

These factors in combination are negatively affecting the demand and supply situation in the country and the power distribution system needs load management for certain period. 

The Power  Division has directed the NPCC to chalk out a well managed emergency load management plan for 72 hours till restoration of 1200 MW nuclear power plants. 

A separate load management plan after the approximate 72 hours based on demand supply situation is also being prepared by the NPCC. However since the demand is declining with decrease in the temperature, therefore the situation is soon expected to show  improvement. 

The Distribution Companies are also directed to ensure maximum relief to the consumers besides keeping the drawl under the allocated quotas to ensure stability in the system. The distribution companies are further directed to circulate the load management plan within their areas of operation for consumers information.

 

 

The unprecedented  severe dense smog is posing serious challenge to the national transmission system and the Power Division, NPCC, NTDC and DISCOs are closely monitoring the situation. Special teams and lines formations have been deputed by NTDC and DISCOs to meet any emergent situation due to the weather conditions . Patrolling of all high transmission lines has been increased by NTDC.

The Power Division has regretted the  inconvenience likely to be caused due to the above mentioned facts and the consumers are requested to kindly adopt energy conservation during few days to minimize load on the system. The Power Division is closely monitoring the situation and shall continue to pass on information to the consumers.

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