By Ayesha Saba ISLAMABAD, April 12 (INP-WealthPK): The National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) is striving to increase its countrywide transmission capacity by 2,000 megawatts as the summer season has set in, reports WealthPK. The largest power sector company will be able to distribute 2,700 to 2,800MW power if transmission limits are overcome. The company is optimistic that it can complete 2,000MW expansion of the transmission network. According to Managing Director of the NTDC Engr. Manzoor Ahmed, “It's a difficult goal, but we're certain that we can do it. Moreover, even at its peak last year, electricity consumption is still below the capacity of our transmission network. Last year, for example, the highest flow of power through our system was 24,564MW. We still will have the surplus capacity this year due to the addition of 2,000MW to the transmission network. To put it another way, we have the capacity to transfer more power than the peak demand." “The government has granted the NTDC two years to establish a transmission network in the special economic zones (SEZs) in Swabi, Haripur, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, and Dhabeji, as this is now our priority project,” said the MD. "The whole process of completing numerous transmission projects has been targeted at delivering excellent work in order to protect the country's interests," he said. Talking to INP-WealthPK, the NTDC spokesperson said, “Pakistan's electrical sector has long been plagued by problems, but in the last five years, the country's energy sector has undergone a massive investment phase. In order to meet the rising demand for power across the country, the NTDC has opted to expand its infrastructure by building transmission lines and additional grid stations. Furthermore, our team is working hard on transformer augmentation and addition projects around the country, which is scheduled to be finished by summer.” “The entire situation to finish numerous transmission projects was targeted at delivering excellent work in order to defend the country's interests. The latest example is the successful completion and energization of 500kV Double Circuit Quad Bundle Lucky-Port Qasim Transmission Line and HVDC Convertor Station Matiari.” The spokesman said, "In Pakistan, progress has been achieved last year through expanding infrastructure by building transmission lines and new grid stations in order to accommodate the increased demand for power across the country. Ambitious reforms concerning the pricing of energy are planned and electricity theft is now a criminal offense. The government has taken a significant stride toward electricity theft. A special task force has already been established to prevent power theft, and it will oversee the district-level crackdown." "Increased reliance on expensive thermal power generation has resulted in tariff rises, subsidies, circular debt, inefficiencies, and hampered the industrial sector's competitiveness, both domestically and globally. Waste reduction, shift to greener energy, and private investment should be encouraged. Pakistan can support economic growth and job creation by addressing inefficiencies in its electrical sector," he suggested.