The authorities have imposed a fine of Rs10 million on the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) over the tripping of the Jamshoro Grid Station last year, WealthPK reports.

According to details, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) imposed a fine of Rs10 million on National Transmission and Despatch Company Ltd (NTDC) over the tripping of the 220 kilovolts Jamshoro Grid Station.

The tripping of Jamshoro Grid Station caused a partial blackout on September 1, 2021, due to lightning on the isolator D8Q11, leading to the flashover on the red phase of the isolator.

The generation units of 1,030 megawatts K2, 60 megawatts Hub Power, 600 megawatts China Hub Power and 310 megawatts Wind Power were affected due to the tripping. The incident caused suspension of power supply to K-Electric and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) areas.

The power supply to all the affected areas of K-Electric, HESCO grids, Wind IPPs other power plants was restored after some time except 500 kV HUBCO-Jamshoro Ckt, which was energised later. The overall normalcy was regained within 2:33 hours.

The NEPRA took serious notice of the incident and directed NTDC to constitute an inquiry committee to thoroughly investigate the matter in the light of NEPRA laws, rules and regulations.

Accordingly, NTDC conducted a detailed inquiry on its own and the same was presented before the Authority. The Authority initiated legal proceedings against NTDC in light of the inquiry report.

Subsequently, an explanation was issued to NTDC under Rule 4(1) of the NEPRA (Fines) Rules 2002, followed by a show-cause notice on July 6, 2022, under Section 41 of the NEPRA Act.

However, NTDC failed to provide any response within the stipulated time period. Accordingly, ex-party proceedings were initiated against NTDC, whereby NTDC was found guilty of violating relevant provisions of the NEPRA laws, rules and regulations, grid code and NEPRA Transmission Performance Rules 2005, according to documents available with WealthPK.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk