peshawar - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Energy and Power Department has proposed seven new projects amounting to Rs5.3 billion for merged areas in budget 2021-22 to strengthen infrastructure, distribution system and provide uninterrupted power supply to domestic and industrial consumers.
These projects include electrification of far-flung areas, installation of new feeders and transformers besides upgradation of grid stations in all seven tribal districts, said Engr Malik Luqman Khan, Senior Planning Officer, Energy and Power Department on Sunday.
He said Rs5.3 billion were proposed for execution of the new projects and work on it would soon start after inclusion in Annual Development Program (ADP 2021-22)
Energy and Power Department and Tribal Electricity Company (TESCO) had joined hands to strengthen power distribution system in merged areas, he said, adding TESCO was mainly responsible for operation in merged areas and contributing in transformation and distribution of power there.
With completion of these projects, he said, the issues of overloading of 11KV lines, 132KV transmission lines and grid stations would be addressed and additional 18 percent population in merged areas would be electrified.
Engr Luqman said 11 small and mega electricity projects including upgradation and installation of feeders, rehabilitation of grid stations and installation of new transformers in the industrial zones had been completed in merged areas.
He said power stealing through directs kundas was a major cause of overloading of feeders and transformers that caused power trippings and fluctuations.
He said areas where line loses were high and recovery was low would face extra load-shedding compare to those areas where line loss was low and recovery was high. “KP current electricity demands is about 2,300MW and is receiving about 1,700MW, facing a shortfall of 600MW, which is being fulfilled through scheduled load management.”
Following successful completion of 332 mini macro hydropower projects (MMHP) having power generation capacity of 30megawatt in 12 districts in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said additional 672 MMHPs would be constructed with an estimated cost of USD 237 million under the Prime Minister Access to Clean Energy Investment Programme (ACENIP).
