Faisalabad, Pakistan, March 05, 2024 – Punjab Power Transmission landscape went through a monumental transformation as a result of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) pivotal project. Marking a historic milestone, the inauguration of the 500kV Grid Station and its associated transmission lines stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of JICA and the support of the Government of Japan.
With a substantial Japanese ODA loan amounting to Japanese Yen 11,943,000,000, JICA’s collaboration with the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) Pakistan has paved the way for a revolutionary enhancement of the power infrastructure in different cities of Punjab including Faisalabad West grid station. This transformative project has been carefully designed to fortify the power supply to Faisalabad by significantly reducing outages and voltage fluctuations, ultimately enhancing the reliability and quality of the power distribution network.
The completion of the 500kV Grid Station and its associated transmission lines reflects JICA’s steadfast dedication to bolstering Pakistan’s infrastructure while fostering sustainable socio-economic development. By harnessing advanced technology and best practices, JICA’s support has enabled NTDC Pakistan to embrace a new era of power management with heightened efficacy and resilience.
The successful realization of this project is a reflection of the steadfast commitment of both JICA and the Government of Japan in bolstering the critical infrastructure of Faisalabad West. This achievement marks a pivotal milestone in the region’s quest for a more resilient and efficient power system, heralding a brighter and sustainable future.
A joint effort between JICA Pakistan office and NTDC culminated in a media tour to the Faisalabad West Grid Station on Tuesday, where representatives from print and electronic media outlets embarked on a site visit. The NTDC team provided comprehensive briefings on the technical intricacies of the project, followed by an insightful on-site exploration.
The Faisalabad West 500kV Grid Station and its associated transmission lines are integral components of the Japanese ODA loan-funded “Punjab Transmission Lines and Grid Station Project(I) PK-P58,” amounting to Japanese Yen 11,943,000,000/. Other components of this project include the construction of the 500kV Rahim Yar Khan Grid Station and associated transmission lines, as well as the 220kV Shalamar (GIS) Grid Station and transmission lines in Lahore.
Through Japanese support, NTDC has enhanced the reliability and quality of power supply, reducing outages and voltage fluctuations, and meeting the burgeoning load demand by bolstering transmission systems in Punjab province. This contributes significantly to sustainable power provision to the industrial sector for economic growth and uplifting the living standards in the targeted areas.
Furthermore, JICA funded another vital project under the Japanese ODA loan titled “National Transmission Lines and Grid Stations Strengthening Project PK-P61,” amounting to Japanese Yen 23,3000,000, completed in 2019. This project encompasses various components aimed at fortifying the transmission infrastructure across multiple regions in Pakistan.
Under Japanese Grant Aid support, JICA has facilitated the construction of a state-of-the-art Training Center in Lahore, equipped with modern facilities, and has enhanced the capacity of NTDC engineers through Technical Cooperation projects. This includes the provision of 30 training simulators and technical training sessions in Japan and Pakistan focused on the maintenance, operation, and protection of grid stations and transmission lines.
Mr. Tsuyoshi Hara, Senior Representative of JICA Pakistan office, emphasized during interactions with media representatives that Japan’s longstanding support and collaboration with the Government and people of Pakistan span various sectors, including infrastructure development in power, roads, irrigation, industry, health, education, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and disaster management. This year marks the 70th anniversary of Japan’s ODA support in Pakistan, reflecting a rich history of partnership and mutual benefit.
Mr. Anees Ahmad (Chief Engineer EHV) NTDC, from NTDC shared that main benefits of 500kV Faisalabad West Grid Station project include Increase in System Capacity to meet the Future Load Demand of FESCO and NTDC Network, Improvement in Voltage Profile, Reduction in Forced Load Shedding, Reduction in Transmission System Losses, Reduction in Loading of Transformer at 500kV Gatti, 220kV Jaranwala, Nishatabad Grid Stations.
