LAHORE: The National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) has completed and energised the second phase of the 133km long 500kV Neelum-Jhelum Double Circuit Transmission line.

The completion of the line will enable the authorities to directly dispatch the 969MW power, generated by Neelum-Jhehlum Hydropower Project, directly to 500kV Nokhar (New Ghakkar) Grid Station which is closer to the load centres. The company has also connected 720MW Karot Hydropower Project with this line for the purpose of power evacuation, transmission and dispatch to the 132kV distribution system operated by the distribution companies.

According to a spokesman for the company, the transmission line has been completed in two phases. Phase-I consisted of 152km long emanating from the Neelum Jhelum Power House to Domeli (near Rawat) which was completed in 2018 and the power was being evacuated and dispatched to the load centres through 500kV Rawat (Islamabad) Grid Station.

“In addition to power evacuation from Neelum Jhelum HPP, the NTDC has also connected 720MW Karot HPP through looping with this Neelum Jhelum to Nokhar Transmission Line. Presently, the testing of 720MW Karot Hydropower Project is underway and after its successful commissioning, 720MW cheap energy will be added soon to the National Grid,” the spokesman explained in a press release on Friday.

He said with the completion of the line, the issues related to power distribution system constraints, etc in Gujranwala, Sialkot and the surrounding districts would be no more. “Moreover, the addition of hydel power will play a key role in improving the system reliability and voltage profile at load centers,” he added.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2022