19-08-2010

PEPCO LESSENS OVERLOAD INNOVATIVELY

A large section of the 132 KV Mardan -Noshehra -Jahangira Transmission Line were washed away by floods in PESCO area resulting in extraordinary overloading of 220 KV Burhan Grid Station. This resulted in extra load shedding at the Shadi Khan, Ghurghashti, Hazro, Gondal, and Pattan grid stations.
The moment the issue came to the notice of the Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, he took immediate cognizance of the matter and directed PEPCO and PESCO authorities to immediately take measures to improve supply of electricity to the effected areas so that people could be provided relief without any delay.

As restoration of the 132 KV Mardan –Noshehra -Jahangira Transmission Line was scheduled to take place in a week’s time, Managing Director PEPCO Mr. Tahir Basharat Cheema constituted a special  team comprising engineers and staff of  the National Power Control Centre (NPCC) and NTDC to explore alternate measures.
The technical team came up with an innovative solution and connected 220 KV Burhan and the 220 KV Sangrani grid stations in parallel. This was done through splitting the bus-bars at both of the 220 KV grid stations and then connecting the 160 MVA Auto Transformers there through tie-lines already existing in the vicinity. This operation resulted in the mitigation of the over loading at the 220 KV Burhan grid station and electricity to effected areas improved immediately. This technique of connecting two 220 KV grid stations in parallel is the first of its kind in Pakistan that has been specially adopted for mitigating the problems of people. It would serve as a precedent and could be replicated when similar problems in others areas of operation are faced by other DISCOs. The people of the earlier effected areas have thanked Raja Pervaiz Ashraf for his personal intervention in ensuring smooth supply of electricity for them.

PEPCO would once again like to reiterate that it will leave no stone unturned and take all possible measures to facilitate its consumers. PEPCO also regrets the inconvenience that may have caused to its consumers due to delay in restoration of the effected transmission line in PESCO area and hopes that the consumers will continue to extend co-operation to enable it to further improve its service.

18-08-2010

220 KV SHIKARPUR GRID AT LODRA RE-ENERGIZED IN RECORD TIME  SUBMERGED IN WATER SUPPLY RESTORED TO 12 AFFECTED GRID STATIONS OF SINDH AND BALOCHISTAN

 The 220 kV Shikarpur Grid Station at Lodra, Shikarpur was inundated during the night of 14 and 15 of August 2010. The grid station was shut at 6.57 am on 15th morning to save the equipment from damage. Consequently 132 kV Radhan, Moen Jo Dhero, Mero Khan, Kambar, Warrah , Shahdad Kot, Ghari Khaira, Ruto Dero, Naudero and Larkana Grids were also shut. Additionally, 66 kV Usta Muhammad, Jhal Magsi and Ganda Kha Grids were also affected. Due to an alternate route of supply, Rutodero, Naudero and Larkana Grids were energized within an hour. Naudero-I RPP was also directed to be started on emergency basis.

            Mr Tahir Basaharat Cheema ,MD PEPCO immediately directed  the Chief Executive HESCO Mr. Nazir Sheikh, Acting Chief Executive, SEPCO Mr. Shams ud Din Sheikh and SE GSO Guddu, Mr. Abdul Shakoor Sheikh to constitue a team ,rush to the Grid Statin and undertake restoration work. The  GOC Pannu Aqil  also extended all possible logistical support  The equipment in the Grid Station specially  the auxiliary transformers , were lifted out of water through hoists and jacks. Similarly, the other equipment was also rearranged and lifted  above the flooding waters, After having lifted  the entire  grid station above the water, it  was energized through physical operation of isolators etc. while the personnel  still stood in chest deep running water. This kind of restoration work is  unprecedented in the history of Power restoration in Pakistan.The 220 KV grid station which was shut  at  6.57 am was energized at 8:17 pm. The energisation of 220KV Grid Station in such  short time was only possible  due to untiring efforts, hard work ,bravery and  ingenuity of PEPCO  Engineers .Shikarpur Grid Station at Lodra. Alhamdulillah,  is now  supplying power to the western part of Sindh and adjoining areas of Balochistan without any problem since  August 15th.

The Federal Minister for Water & Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has commended  the  team for restoring  the grid station in such a short time  and has  issued letters of appreciation to the concerned officers and staff. MD PEPCO has eulogized the services of the staff concerned and has sanctioned honoraria for them.

 PEPCO is committed  to make all out efforts  to ensure smooth supply of electricity   and is striving hard   to achieve this objective by utilizing all available resources .

16-08-2010

Uninterrupted Power Supply Be Ensured During Sehar and Iftar ---- Mr Tahir Basharat Cheema

  Lahore August 14, 2010.  A meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Mr Tahir Basharat Cheema Managing Director, Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) to review the power situation in the country.                                                                                       

The meeting was briefed that Gas Turbine Power Station Faisalabad is still inoperative, Guddu Power Complex is receiving 122 MMCFD gas instead of 200 MMCFD and KAPCO is receiving 10 MMCFD less than its normal requirements. This has resulted in a shortfall of 500 MW in generation capacity of these plants.  AES Lalpir, Pak Gen and some units of KAPCO are already closed because of flood situation having a total capacity of 1600 MW. Consequently the available generation capacity of the country stands reduces by 2100 MW. Mr Cheema said that every effort will be made for the early restoration of 2100 MW as and when the situation permits. 

The meeting was also informed that PEPCO is meeting the entire demand of its consumers of over 13000 MW today and therefore there was no need to resort to load shedding. 

The MD issued strict directions to CEOs of DISCOs to ensure compliance of the decision of the Federal Cabinet and the instruction of the Prime Minister to provide uninterrupted power supply to domestic consumers during Sehar and Iftar. 

The MD directed that due to the extraordinary situation, all offices of PEPCO and DISCOs will continue to remain open. All leaves of employees should be cancelled and they should be directed to join duties so that rehabilitation of Power Plants can be taken at hand as soon as flood situation improves. Mr Cheema also directed all the DISCOs to work round the clock and ensure that consumer complaint is redressed promptly   

The meeting was informed that as directed by MD a cut of Rs 500 million has been made in the operational expenses of PEPCO. He was also informed that an amount of Rs 200 million has been deposited in the Prime Minister’s relief fund 2010 and remaining amount would also be deposited shortly. This amount is apart from the Rs 33 million contributed by the employees of PEPCO.

The Chief Executive of Multan Electric Supply Company and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) apprised the MD about the progress in the distribution of 1000 tons of food items each in their respective areas for the flood victims.

The meeting was attended by Chief financial Officer Mr Razi Abbas, CEO LESCO Mr Saleem Akhtar, General Manager Human Resources Mr Azhar Iqbal, Director General Energy Management and Conservation Mr Muhammad Khalid and other senior officials.

13-08-2010

PEPCO POWER SITUATION REVIEWED

Mr Tahir Basharat Cheema Managing Director, Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) convened a meeting here today at the WAPDA house to review the progress made by PEPCO in its efforts to provide relief   in the flood affected areas.

The CFO, Mr Razi Abbas informed the meeting that employees of PEPCO   have contributed one day salary as their contribution towards Prime Minister’s Flood relief Fund and a sum of Rs 33 million has already been collected and deposited in the Fund He also informed that Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has collected Rs 50 million and deposited the same in the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

The meeting was informed that officials of Guddu Power Complex and Thermal Power Station Muzaffargarh are hosting nearly 5000 people belonging to local population and are providing them food, shelter and health care free of cost. He appreciated the gesture of employees of the Guddu Power Complex who have already shared their residential quarters with the flood affectees.

In compliance of the instructions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan,Mr Tahir Basharat Cheema  directed the Chief Executive Officer  of Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) to arrange 1000 tons of food items and distribute it among flood affectees of the area. Similarly CEO of Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) has been directed to distribute 1000 tons of food items to the flood victims of the area.

 The MD PEPCO is in touch with the CEOs of other distribution Companies as well and has directed them to assist relief efforts in their respective areas of jurisdiction and coordinate their work with the local administration. Human resource and the infrastructure available with DISCOs should be utilized to assist the local administration in relief work” he emphasised. PEPCO, he said, is already providing free and uninterrupted power supply to the local administration to ensure that relief efforts are carried out without any let or hindrance he said.

The meeting was attended by Chief financial Officer Mr Razi Abbas,CEO NTDC Rasool Khan Mehsud, CEO LESCO Mr Saleem Akhtar, General Manager Human Resources Mr Azhar Iqbal and other senior officials.