ISLAMABAD:Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs), operating across the country, have registered around 99,168 First Information Reports (FIRs) against the electricity pilferers after the incumbent government launched a massive anti-theft drive to reduce the electricity line losses in 2018.
“From 13-10-2018 to 11-10-2021 all DISCOs registered 99,168 FIRs, charged Rs 8,083 million, out of which recovered Rs 5,498 million from the pilferers,” according to an official document available with reporter.
To reduce the line losses, the government took stringent measures to make the power sector efficient, which include construction of new grids and up-gradation of existing grid stations, augmentation of power transformers and replacement of undersize conductors, installation and replacement of defective capacitors and undersize conductors of 11 KV Feeders besides old and defective meters & transformers, augmentation and addition of distribution transformers,
The DISCOs increased the surveillance to control theft and reduce line losses by launching a vibrant anti-theft drive and deputing night watchmen, besides ensuring billing accuracy through Mobile Meter Reading (MMR).
For improvement of transmission system reliability and enhancement of existing transmission capacity, the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) management incorporated latest technological trends being adopted worldwide like Ultra-High Voltage (UHV) level of 765 kV with the help World Bank to enhance the capacity of transmission lines at 500kV and 220kV levels, and reconductoring of existing transmission lines to enhance capacity and avoid overloading:
It replaced existing 220kV Tarbela-Burhan Double Circuit transmission line with a new line on twin bundled Rail Conductor Circuits I& II, and carried out reconductoring of 500kV Dadu-Jamshoro Circuit I & II.
“The NTDC is introducing series compensation technology on transmission lines. In this context, NTDC has hired services of DAR Engineering to conduct feasibility studies as independent consultants.”
The NTDC also experimented and rolled out the use of HVIC/RTV coating on transmission line insulators, which greatly helped in reducing the number of tripping events.
Recently, installation works of digitalized distance relays and event fault happening recorders by TETRACON was carried out in the South region to reduce tripping events.
To ensure transmission of bulk power at long distances, the HVDC system has been introduced in the network at ±500 kV and ±660kV voltage levels.
Accordingly, one mega project (CASA1000) is under construction while Matiari-Lahore + 600 kV HVDC project achieved COD on September 1,2021:
The NTDC has also prepared the draft five-year development plan 202226 for future transmission line projects, which would further increase the system capacity and reliability.
Presently, it said, no load shedding was being carried out due to generation shortfall in both urban and rural areas as sufficient power generation was available.
“However, load management is being carried out on equitable basis under 7 categories, on the basis of AT&C Losses keeping in view of non-payment of electricity bills/theft of electricity,” the NTDC added.