LAHORE: Over 800 transformers of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) in residential and commercial areas of the city and the districts of Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib were reported to be burnt or damaged during three peak summer months of May, June and July.

The number has reduced considerably when compared with similar incidents in the corresponding months of the previous year.

“Last year, 4,000 transformers were burnt or damaged due to short circuit of low tension (LT) wires in three peak summer months. This year, the number of damaged transformers reduced to 800 to 900 after we strengthened the wires network,” claimed Lesco Chief Executive Officer Syed Wajid Ali Kazmi.

“Transformers are mostly damaged due to wires and lack of protection system,” he explained while talking to Dawn.

He said that before start of the summer, the officials had added 600 to 700 new transformers to the power distribution system and replaced scores of low-capacity transformers. Besides, dozens of 11kV feeders were also added to the system, relieving many of the additional load.

“Due to the upgrade, ratio of transformers’ burning incidents, especially in Lahore, remained low,” Mr Kazmi said and added that the troubled areas were Walled City, Samanabad, Misri Shah, Shalamar, Baghbanpura and Tajpura.

The Lesco chief said the company was set to carry out its maintenance drive from Sept 15 till February or March. During the drive, the LT network would be further upgraded and existing wires would be replaced with the insulated ones. Moreover, the LT side will also have a protection system in future to minimise such incidents.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2017