LAHORE: Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Engr Khurram Dastgir Khan inaugurated the construction of the 500/132 kV grid station for Allama Iqbal Industrial City near Sahianwala interchange, Faisalabad, on Monday.

The National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) is undertaking this project, which aims to meet the energy requirements of both the Allama Iqbal Industrial City and M3-Industrial City as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Special Economic Zones projects. The grid station will provide reliable and stable power, supporting a load demand of 600 MW in the medium and long term.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, the minister emphasized the significance of the project in strengthening the industrial sector.

“The estimated cost for the construction of this grid station is Rs20 billion, and it is scheduled to be completed by January 2025. Additionally, a 1.5 km transmission line will be constructed from Gatti-Ghazi Brotha to interconnect with this project,” he stated. He praised the NTDC management for their timely completion of projects and for initiating new projects related to grid stations and transmission lines.

The federal minister assured that issues concerning imports for this project would be resolved promptly. He advised the NTDC managing director to complete the project ahead of the designated timeframe.

“Rather than complaining, we should contribute to the development of our country,” he added.

NTDC MD Engr Dr Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan the 220 km long 500 kV Thar-Matiari transmission line and the 30 km long Polan – Jiwani (Gwadar) transmission line for importing an additional 100 MW power from Iran - have already been completed within a record time.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2023