LAHORE: The Board of Directors of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) on Tuesday approved the draft of the Revised Grid Code-2022, making the regulation of the transmission, dispatch, distribution and voltage system in line with the modern systems currently available worldwide.

The draft was approved at a meeting held here at the NTDC office, presided over by chairman Naveed Ismaeel. The draft approved by the NTDC board would now be sent to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for final approval, according to official sources.

“In the new code, the voltage level of the grid has been changed / amended from 500kV to 765kV keeping in view construction of a new grid / transmission line project of 765kV. Previously, the grid code-2005 had the regulation of the power transmission and dispatch system up to 500kV,” an official source privy to the meeting told Dawn.

Similarly, the official said the roles of system operator and the national grid companies including provincial grid and Special Purpose Transmission Line, and metering service provider (MSP) had been identified. Likewise, all existing addendums have been addressed.

“Moreover, the 660kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line having two convertor stations (one for converting current from alternate to direct current (AC to DC and another for converting current from DC to AC) has been added,” the official said, adding that the revised grid code also had been equipped with the updated renewable energy technologies. The grid code review panel mechanism, he said, had been redefined with new players given due consideration.

According to a press release issued by the NTDC, the grid code has been revised in line with the international standards, which is an essential requirement of the regulation of electric network supply and delivery system.

“The NTDC team has completed the revised grid code in the light of the upcoming competitive trading bilateral contracts market (CTBCM), new technologies, new voltage levels and increased penetration of renewable energy in Pakistan’s power sector including KE,” it said.

During the BoD meeting, NTDC Managing Director Dr Engrr Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan also highlighted the synergy and commitment of the team that completed the task of revising the code in a difficult situation and managed to produce quality document based on international standards.

“We have tried hard to make our code in line with the international standards related to automation of power transmission, dispatch and distribution, advance metering infrastructure, digitization of the utilities, power quality and provision to the end consumers etc,” Dr Jabaar told Dawn.

He said the company was also working on an effective integrated generation plan, having induction of the carbon-free and clean energy into the national grid.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2022