Engineering Post Report
The pivotal gateway of the great game changer China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the mushrooming landscape of Gwadar is undergoing remarkable transformation as as the city was rapidly evolving into an international business hub which augurs well for the people of the country at large and the people of Balochistan province in particular.
However, this meteoric rise in economic activity comes hand in hand with an accelerating demand for electricity.
Duly recognizing the direly critical need for addressing the increasing demand and requirements for power of the Mekran/ Gwadar region, with a focus on short, medium and long term scenarios , comprehensive plans have been planned at the appropriate concerned official levels for bolstering the city’s energy infrastructure..
According to the information available from the National Electric Power Authority (NEPRA) regarding energy provision and supplies to Mekran/Gwadar region from short to medium scenario, 70 to 90 MW of electricity is being imported from Iran since 2003 on the existing 132 kv transmission line from Jackigoor to Mand (Gwadar0.
An additional 100 MW was imported from Iran via 51 kilometers of transmission line from the Plain area of Iran to Pak-Iran border and the interim 132 KV supply link from the Pak-Iran border (Gabd) to Gwadar -Jiwani Transmission Line was completed early this year.
The permanent 220 KV supply link will be completed after the required funding arrangement from EDBI of Iran and completion of Gwadar 220 KV Grid Station and remaining 45 KM transmission line entails about 18 months construction time.
About 70 to 80 MW electricity has already been achieved by linking the 132 KV network of Makran/Gwadar to the national grid in June 2023. The Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) has also completed the 132 KV KV transmission line between Basima-Nal-Nag-Panjgaur. According to the available information, the power supply options for Makran/Gwadar in the medium term included the 300 MW Coal Fired Fire Project at Gwadar under the framework of CPEC. The project will be completed by December 2025 and the power will accordingly be evacuated through 132 KV Transmission Lines to be built by QESCO.
