Electrical Power System

Electricity in Pakistan is generated, transmitted, distributed, and retail supplied by two vertically
integrated public sector utilities: Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for all of
Pakistan (except Karachi), and the Karachi Electric (K-Electric) for the city of Karachi and its
surrounding areas. There are around 42 independent power producers (IPPs) that contribute
significantly in electricity generation in Pakistan.
Pakistan Electricity Sector Structure: The Power sector was restructured in 1998 with the
creation of PEPCO (Pakistan Electric Power Company. Prior to 1998, there were two vertically
integrated utilities, i.e. KESC, which served the Karachi area and WAPDA which served the rest
of the country. Later on, WAPDA’s power wing has been structured into distinct corporate
entities comprising of 4 GENCOs, 10 DISCOs and one Transco (NTDC). The Power Division of
the Ministry of Energy is responsible for the development of water and power resources in the
country. It also handles all issues related to electricity generation, transmission, distribution and
pricing. The Ministry exercises this function through respective organizations. It also performs
certain specific functions such as coordination of power sector plans, formulation of policies and
specific incentives, and liaises with provincial governments on all related issues.

Regulators
The regulators include:
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) was established as an independent
regulator to ensure a transparent, competitive and commercially oriented power market in
Pakistan. NEPRA is responsible for: (i) granting licenses for the generation, transmission and
distribution of electric power; (ii) determining electricity tariffs for the consumers, transmitters,
distributors and producers; and (iii) prescribing and implementing performance standards for
generation, transmission and distribution companies.

The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) is responsible for granting licenses to all
nuclear installations in the country, including nuclear power plants. The PNRA formulates and
implements effective regulations to ensure safe operation of all nuclear installations, including
nuclear power plants.
Indus River System Authority (IRSA) is responsible for regulating and monitoring the
distribution of water sources of the Indus River in accordance with the Water Accord among the
provinces. The Indus River hosts major hydropower plants.
Power T&D Analysis
The existing electricity system of Pakistan is ageing more than 80 years old. It was designed with
the primary purpose to transmit the electric supply to the end point and keep the light on, which
was design based on the need and requirements identified at that time. The essential elements of
power system are Generation, Transmission and Distribution. These are also known as sub-
systems of a power system. These sub-units or systems are connected by the Grid stations or also
called the substations. Figure 1 illustrates the traditional power system process from generation
to end-user supply. Generating plant is built with three phase generators, a source of energy,
prime mover, substations and control room. Energy source can be any resource that can produce
electricity. The existing system utilizes the Fossils Fuels such as coal, gas, oil, Nuclear,
Geothermal, Hydro and Solar. In simple words, at generation point, the energy of one source is
converted to the electrical energy. It generates the low Alternating Current (AC) voltages.
Because it is easier convert AC voltage than Direct Current (DC) voltages. Normally, the
ordinary power plant generation capacity is about 11 to 13KV, which is economically good and
feasible to setup as required. As electrical energy produces, it is then transferred to the
transmission grid. The transmission grid comprises of High tower caring high voltage power
lines and sub-stations at both end. The substation is located near the generation point used to
step-up supply to high voltage that feeds power over long distance supply transmission. Before
delivering this supply to end user consumption and unitization, it passes through the sub-station
where it is stepping down high voltage power to low voltage (220v) or consumable supply at
local grid stations.

Fig. 1: Power System Process Diagram

The energy Transmission and Distribution (T&D) system is usually treated in two sub parts,
1) Primary T&D.
2) Secondary T&D.
The Primary Transmission line carries the high current voltage supply usually of 132KV, 220
KV, 500KV or an even greater amount is spread by three phase overhead wire to the load center.
The receiving load centers or sub-stations forwarding supply is called the Secondary
Transmission line, where the voltage level is scaled down by step-down transformer to 33KV,
66KV, and 135KV. This stepped down supply is then handed over to the Primary Distribution
stations. It is then distributed through overhead 3 phase lines with their respective usage areas
such as large scale Industrial, commercial areas where they usually step up or down the supply as
per their requirements. Whereas, the supply for residential utilization is transmitted to local sub-
stations which is known as Secondary Distribution transmission where it is further stepped down
to 400V in three phase supply over four wires. In which, any single phase wire carrying 200V to
220V and 400V load between any two phase.
The government and public sector companies are the main energy supplier. The government
suppliers include the local generation as well the imported energy ratio from other countries. The
primary supply is utilized in various power plant operations and a specific ratio of energy is
consumed by industrial work like conversion of energy and refining process. In the next Step,
private companies add their energy capacity to the system where it passes through the refining
process. In third stage, it is transmuted to service provider companies, who are accountable for
energy distribution, its billing, and monitoring. While the unit price rates buying and selling,
duties and subsidies purely govern by government authorities.
The whole process and supply distribution from power generation to consumption is
unidirectional which means that there is no control and monitoring capability to manage end to
end supply, its uses and consumption. It is fully electro-mechanical grids network with few
sensors, zero fault tolerance, manual recovery, check and maintenance. It is the huge and
complex networks of transformers, overhead lines, cables and other equipment. This system also
does not have the storage system to store power and transmit in peak time as per demand. This
means that the power is gained from the generation station on real time as required or per
consumption.

National Transmission and Dispatch Company

National Transmission & Dispatch Company (NTDC) was incorporated on 6th November, 1998 and
commenced commercial operation on 24th December, 1998. It was organized to take over all the
properties, rights and assets obligations and liabilities of 220 KV and 500KV Grid Stations and
Transmission Lines/Network owned by Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).
Transmission Network of NTDC: NTDC operates and maintains sixteen 500 KV and forty five 220
KV Grid Stations, 5110.48 km of 500 KV transmission line and 9686.32 km of 220 KV transmission line
in Pakistan. NTDC was granted Transmission License No.TL/01//2002 on 31st December 2002 by
National Electric Power Regularity Authority (NEPRA) to engage in the exclusive transmission business
for a term of thirty (30) years, pursuant to Section 17 of the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and
Distribution of Electric Power Act, 1997.
The NTDC is responsible for constructing, operating and maintaining the electricity transmission
infrastructure of the country, which comprises transmission lines of 220 kV and 500 kV, and grid
stations linking all power plants of the country. It also provides services to the distribution
companies in designing and construction of 132 kV transmission lines and grid stations.
Distribution companies: There are currently eleven electricity distribution companies operating
in the country:
Peshawar Electric Supply Company;
Islamabad Electric Supply Company;
Gujranwala Electric Power Company;
Lahore Electric Supply Company;
Faisalabad Electric Supply Company;
Multan Electric Power Company;
Hyderabad Electric Supply Company;
Quetta Electric Supply Company;
Sukkur Electric Power Company;
Tribal Areas Electricity Supply Company;
K-Electric.
Apart from K-Electric, all the companies are public entities. K-Electric is responsible for
generation, transmission and distribution of power to the city of Karachi and the surrounding
areas (Uthal and Bela district) and was privatized. It owns and operates 2 734 MW of electricity
generation capacity.