Controversial report: Ministry to challenge Nepra

Ministry of Water and Power is to challenge National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on its recently released report titled "Nepra visit report of National Transmission and Despatch Company Limited" through non-papers finalised by the NTDC management, well informed sources told Business Recorder. Nepra, in its controversial report, stated that power load shedding would not be eliminated in the country by 2018 due to unreliable transmission system which has angered the government.
According to the Ministry of Water and Power, Nepra's report is 15-month old and released at a time when the government has made substantial improvement in the transmission system.
"We don't say that transmission system is alright but the report is not based on facts. It's an old report. NTDC has made substantial investment on the system's improvement," the sources continued.
Both the Ministry of Water and Power and Nepra have locked horns for the last couple of years due to Discos' tariff notifications, tariffs of renewable energy projects and transmission line. "NTDC has been directed to prepare a detailed response to Nepra through a non-paper which will explain the current status of transmission system along with replies of points raised by the regulator," the sources maintained.
Nepra, in its report on performance of power sector plants and transmission system Nepra observed that the national exchequer has already been inflicted a financial loss of Rs 16 billion due to negligence of NTDC. The report further observed that most of NTDC's developmental works are delayed and commitment charges are being paid due to this delay in execution of projects. Total 3.385 million US dollars have been paid by NTDC for commitment charges, which is a drain on the public exchequer. The projects which are delayed from their contractual completion date are: (i) 220 kV Chishtian grid station along with associated T/Line; (ii) 220 kV Vehari grid station extension; (iii) 220 kV Gujrat grid station; (iv) 500 kV New Lahore grid station; (v) Associated transmission lines for 500 kV New Lahore grid station and 220 kV Gujrat grid station; (vi) 500 kV Rahim Yar Khan grid station and associated transmission line; (vii) 500 kV Shikarpur grid station and associated transmission line ;(viii) 220 kV Dera Murad Jamali grid station and associated transmission line and ;(ix) installation of Static Var Compensators at 220 kV New Kot Lakhpat grid station.
According to Nepra, this practice of extending the due date of commissioning of projects of national interest must be discouraged. System constraints are posing serious threats to the system's reliability. National Power Control Center (NPCC) up-gradation project has been mishandled by NTDC. The SCADA project at the moment is short of at least 41 to 51 Remote Terminal Units (RTUs). SCADA system with existing number of RTUs seems insufficient for real time monitoring of power system or proper load flow studies at NPCC. The interconnection arrangements for above mentioned power generation projects are behind schedule and cannot be commissioned before the expected commissioning of power houses.
A few transformers where tripping is routine have been removed due to which the situation has improved.
"We are comfortable with all the projects. Tenders of 40 transformers of 500 KV have already been completed. With the replacement of these transformers by March 2017, the 450 KVs trickledown effect will reach all the way till the end which will resolve the issue," the sources continued.