HYDERABAD, Dec 2: The Chinese unit-II of Jamshoro Thermal Power House has been non-functional for over six months after a fire damaged its generator. The management is awaiting the arrival of engineers from China for carrying out repairs.

The management is also awaiting arrival of required parts and material that is to reach Pakistan through a ship and the Chinese engineers would repair the generator.

“The material will arrive by end of January next year through ship”, said an official of power house on Monday evening. He said that after its repair it will be made operational. He confirmed that Japanese unit-1 is also not working and it will be made functional today (Wednesday).

Chinese unit-II that produces 170 megawatts of electricity against the capacity of 210 megawatts became non-functional in May after fire broke out in its generator. Since then a deficit of 170 megawatts continues to be borne by the national grid.

An additional energy deficit is in shape of Japanese unit-1 whose air pre-heater had developed some faults. “Its element has been changed and it is to be synchronised in a day or two”, said a power house employee. He said that its shutdown was got approved by Wapda authorities one month back.

Chief Engineer of Power House Jamil Arain couldn’t be reached for more details despite repeated attempts.

Jamshoro Thermal Power House has four units include three Chinese and one Japan made. The latter generates around 180 megawatts of electricity but it was being run on around 110 megawatts by the authorities. Each of the three Chinese made units contribute 170 megawatts of power supply that is subsequently supplied to national grid.

After the fault occurred in the Chinese unit a committee of engineers of power house was constituted to examine it to see its condition. Then Wapda’s headquarter was informed about it. The same unit had caught fire in December 2006 as well.

The rated capacity of each Chinese unit, claimed an official, is 210 megawatt while of Japanese is 250 megawatts but they are run on 170 and 110 megawatt. The power house was commissioned in 1990-91 and it now needed capacity improvement. It contributes around 600 megawatt of electricity to national supply.

Chinese officials have to inspect the machine and they would go for its repair. It will take around a month to rectify the problem, said a source.