National Grid System of Pakistan

National Grid System of Pakistan

  September 08, 2019    Fantasy

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•    Pakistan's power transmission system has power¬ generating stations and load centers which are linked with each other creating one of the world's largest National Grid systems.
•    The National Grid connects hydel generation in the north and thermal generation in mid country and the south managed by WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) and KESC (Karachi Electricity Supply Corporation).
•    It consists of a large network of transmission lines and grid stations to transmit power to load centers and then to commercial and domestic consumers throughout the country.

The purpose of formation of National Grid System:

Supplying electricity according to requirement

•    The purpose of formation of National Grid System is to supply electricity to different areas according to their requirements and not on the basis of their own power generation.

For example areas with more demand

•    For example some areas of Pakistan where heavy industries are located require more electricity than they are capable of generating.
•    Supplying electricity through the National Grid system solves this problem.

For example areas with more supply

•    On the other hand, there are some areas where physical and human factors can generate more electricity than their actual requirement.
•    This surplus electricity can then easily be transferred to other areas through this system.
•    However, there is lot of wastage of electricity through the transmission lines and grid stations if they are not properly maintained, also due to the long distances involved.

Installed Generation Capacity of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)

•    It has installed both hydro and thermal power stations but the potential of the hydro power has not been fully exploited.
•    The hydel potential located in the Northern Area and KP still remains largely untapped.
•    In 1997-98
o    Hydel generation was     42 % of the electricity generated
o    Thermal electricity was     58 %.of the electricity generated