Asia | August 19, 2021

First HVDC transmission line tested with full load of 4,000 MW

Pakistan, Lahore: Pakistan on 14 August launched a trial run of its first high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line with the full load of 4,000 MW.

 

Image source: powertechresearch.com

Pakistan, Lahore: Pakistan on 14 August launched a trial run of its first high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line with the full load of 4,000 MW.

It was a landmark ahead of its commercial operation date (COD) next month.

Dubbed as flagship China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, 660 kV Matiari-Lahore HVDC Line is the largest ever transmission sector project of the country in terms of its capacity as well as one of the longest in distance, connecting power generation units in the south with load centres upcountry.

“The HVDC line transcends a geographical length of about 900 km, marking the start of an era of long-distance power transmission in the country,” said an official of National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC). “It is a unique project in the sense that it introduces HVDC technology for the first time in the national grid, enriching the technology mix of the grid.”

It is also said to be the first private sector transmission project being developed in the country. The approximate cost of the project has been estimated at $1.65 B. The project is being developed on a build, own, operate and transfer basis by the State Grid Corporation of China through the special purpose company Pak Matiari-Lahore Transmission. After 25 years of operations, the transmission line will be transferred to NTDC. One of the major stabilizing effects of the HVDC transmission line on the national grid has been provision of leverage to NTDC to avoid breakdowns due to overloading of the transmission system. It will act as a balancing tool to keep voltage profile within the permissible frequency limit, while drawing power from hydropower projects in North and thermal power units in South.

 

Source: The News International