CASA-1000, SEZs and other projects: Cash-strapped NTDC submits Rs510bn revised investment plan

ISLAMABAD: The cash-strapped National Transmission Despatch Company (NTDC) has submitted revised three-year, ie, 2022-25 investment programme envisaging total investment of Rs 510 billion on different projects including CASA-1000 and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

According to the plan, NTDC plans to invest Rs 30.369 billion on Special Economic Zones, ie, Dhabeji, Swabi, Haripur, Lahore and Faisalabad: Rs 2.289 billion in 2022-23, Rs 20.900 billion in FY 2023-24 and Rs 7.180 billion in FY 2024-25. The company has also sought approval of investment of Rs 6.616 billion on land acquisition for solar plants, of which Rs 2.430 billion is required for 2022-23, and Rs 4.186 billion during FY 2023-24.

An amount of Rs 350.438 billion has been envisaged for ongoing works under Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) and own resources out of which Rs 114.452 billion have been sought for 2022-23, Rs 131.801 for FY 2023-24 and Rs 104.185 billion during 2024-25.

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Almost all the ongoing projects have already been cleared from the competent forums including CDWP. The NTDC has sought NEPRA’s nod for investment of Rs 1.250 billion on new projects of PSDP, with Rs 1.525 billion for 2022-23, Rs 22.242 billion during FY 2023-24 and Rs 86.466 billion in FY 2024-25.

The entity which is facing a probe before a Senate Standing Committee on Power with respect to “dubious” contract of 765 kV double circuit transmission line, has sought approval for investment of Rs 12.450 billion in three years which include Rs 7.626 billion in FY 2022-23, Rs 4.624 billion during FY 2023-24 and Rs 200 million in FY 2024-25.

According to NTDC, it needs approval of cumulative investment of Rs 128.322 billion in 2022-23, Rs 183.753billion during 2023-24 and Rs 198.030 billion in 2024-25.

Some key projects to be executed by the NTDC are: (i) execution of power from Suki Kinari, Kohala, Mahal HPPs; (ii) evacuation of power from 2160 MW Dasu HPP stage-1;(ii) 500 kV HVDC transmission system between

and Pakistan for Central Asia - South Transmission Interconnection (CASA-1000); (iii) 500kV Lahore, North; (iv) 220kV Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob Transmission line along with 220kV Zhob Sub-Station; (v) evacuation of power from 1224 MW wind power plants at Jhimpir; (vi) upgradation/extension of NTDC’s telecommunication and SCADA system at NPCC; (vii) 500kV Ghazi Barotha-Faisalabad West Transmission Line; (viii) evacuation of power from 816 MW Mohammad Dam; (ix) extension and augmentation of existing 500kV and 220kV grid stations and also new addition and 220kV transformers at the existing grid station for removal of NTDC system constraints; (x) evacuation of power from K2/K3 Nuclear Power near Karachi(in/out) of 500kV Port Qasim to Matiari S/C and 500kV to Matiari S/C at K2/K3); (xi) evacuation of power from 2x600 MW Thar coal-based SSRL/SECL power plant; and (xii) evacuation of power from 330 MW Siddiquesons Ltd, etc.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023