ISLAMABAD: A high-level committee, led by Federal Minister Dr. Musadik Malik, has yet to submit its findings on the under-utilisation of the Matiari to Lahore ±660 KV HVDC Transmission Line (MTL), despite a year having passed since the inquiry was initiated.
The committee’s report, originally tasked with investigating the non-utilisation of this critical infrastructure, remains pending.
In April of the previous year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed the committee under the leadership of the then Minister for Petroleum, Senator Musadik Malik, who now serves as the Minister for Climate Change.
The committee’s primary objective is to investigate why the Matiari Transmission Line is not operating at full capacity.
The team includes Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, the Secretary of Power Division, the Chairman of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), and Dr. Fiaz Ahmed Chaudhary, former Managing Director of NTDC.
The committee was tasked with completing its inquiry within a week.
The Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the inquiry were detailed as follows:
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To probe the reasons behind the low capacity utilisation of the Matiari Transmission Line for power evacuation and transmission from the southern to northern regions.
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To identify any planning deficiencies that have led to underutilisation while substantial payments for high-capacity infrastructure have been made despite sufficient lead time for the completion of power plants in the south.
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To hold accountable the responsible parties for any negligence and recommend necessary actions.
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To suggest ways to increase the efficiency of power evacuation and transmission from south to north.
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To address any other pertinent issues related to the Matiari Transmission Line.
Challenges in Power Evacuation from South to North
The issue of inefficient power evacuation from the southern to the northern parts of Pakistan is a recurring topic during NEPRA’s public hearings on Fuel Charges Adjustments (FCAs).
The financial impact of using expensive imported fuels at plants located in the south is added to the FCA, which consumers ultimately pay.
NTDC and NPCC officials argue that the reason for this inefficiency is the system’s inability to handle the transmission of power across the large distance, owing to existing system constraints.
Moreover, NEPRA has withheld a sum of Rs 47 billion from NTDC, citing the latter’s failure to improve the transmission infrastructure.
According to sources, the committee’s report remains with the committee members for final review.
While some committee members assert that the report is almost ready for submission, others suggest that the inquiry has turned out to be more complex than initially anticipated.
The Prime Minister’s Office has requested the final report to be submitted promptly.
Technical and Infrastructure Challenges
The geographical layout of the transmission line further complicates power evacuation.
Most coal and wind power plants are located in the southern regions (Sindh), whereas the highest demand is in central Punjab (cities such as Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala).
The length of the transmission line connecting the two regions is as much as 1,000 kilometers in some cases.
For an efficient power transmission, the system requires adequate reactive energy to maintain the electric and magnetic force within the transmission lines.
If this is not properly regulated, fluctuations in frequency can result in a breakdown of the entire system.
Unfortunately, the necessary capacitors and reactive power plants, like the Muzaffargarh plant, have either been shut down or are not consistently available.
Inadequate grid infrastructure to meet demand is another factor contributing to the issue.
In 2022, NTDC initiated two major projects to establish new grid stations and improve transmission lines aimed at reducing system losses and enhancing the voltage profile of Lahore Electric Supply Company. However, the project has yet to be completed, despite repeated requests for extensions.
Reactive Power and System Stability
In light of the existing issues, there is growing discussion about installing compensatory capacitors to stabilize the power system in the absence of available power plants for reactive energy generation.
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These capacitors are seen as a possible solution to enhance system stability and ensure reliable electricity supply from the Matiari Transmission Line.
One of the key technical issues highlighted is the misbalancing of frequency when demand drops to around 8,000-9,000 MW, which leads to system failures and breakdowns.
Additionally, power plants’ jumpstart facilities fail to function when energy is reduced to zero, as initial power is required to start the plant engines. This issue was particularly problematic during the last system breakdown.
World Bank and Other Institutions Ready to Fund
Sources also revealed that several international financial institutions, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, AIIB, and EIB, have expressed willingness to finance the installation of reactive power compensation devices.
This project is expected to commence in the 2026-27 period, which could provide a long-term solution to the recurring issues related to system stability.
Committee’s Next Steps
Dr. Musadik Malik, the Convener of the Committee, confirmed that the report is ready for submission and he plans to present it to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif next week. However, committee members have indicated that the final review process is taking longer than expected.
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In conclusion, the unresolved issues surrounding the underutilisation of the Matiari to Lahore Transmission Line continue to affect the efficiency of Pakistan’s power distribution system.
With the findings of the inquiry committee expected soon, the hope is that the government can take swift action to address these challenges and enhance the country’s energy infrastructure.
