The 878 kilometers 4,000 MW Matiari to Lahore Transmission Line project has been delayed for six months after frequency anomalies were observed in the system when the project was under monopole low power testing. The testing was consequently stopped and the test was declared failed by NTDC and Owner Engineer M/s Hatch, Canada (OE) of NTDC.
Due to this state of affairs the formal deadline for readiness of the project has been delayed by 6 months. Furthermore the OE has recommended that certain additional measures need to be taken at Matiari converter station prior to start of testing. Currently presently, 800 MW is being transmitted through this line.
This major setback to this high-priority CPEC project will lead to inordinate delay in the power plants connected to this project which have the least cost generation before peak summer months, which may result in high tariffs for consumers.
The transmission line will borrow power from the new generation units located in the south including Thar coal-based project.
