Islamabad-National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed a fine of Rs10 million on National Transmission and Despatch Company Limited (NTDC) on account of an incident of partial blackout occurred during first week of September in Sindh.
According to the NEPRA’s spokesperson, the fine has been imposed on account of an incident of partial blackout occurred on September 1, 2021 at 16:09 due to lightning on the isolator D8Q11, leading to flashover on red phase of isolator D8Q11, resulting in tripping of the 500/220kV Jamshoro Grid Station. The spokesperson further said that the generation units of K2 (1,030MW), Hub Power (60MW), China Hub Power (600MW) and Wind Power (310MW) were affected. The event resulted in power supply failure to K-Electric and HESCO jurisdiction. The power supply to all the affected areas of K-Electric, HESCO grids, Wind IPPs, other power plants was restored at 18:42 except 500 kV HUBCO-Jamshoro Ckt which was energised at 21:54 Hrs. The overall normalcy was regained within 2.33 hours.
Earlier, NEPRA took serious notice of the above incident and directed NTDC to constitute an inquiry committee to investigate the matter thoroughly 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 by the transmission team of M&E department, on the basis of which the authority initiated legal proceedings against NTDC. Subsequently, an explanation dated February 17, 2022 was issued to NTDC under Rule 4(1) of the NEPRA (Fines) Rules 2002, followed by a show-cause notice dated July 6, 2022 under section 41 of the NEPRA Act. However, NTDC failed to provide any response within the stipulated time period. Accordingly, ex-parte proceedings were initiated against NTDC, whereby NTDC was found guilty of violating relevant provisions of the NEPRA laws, rules and regulations, Grid Code, NEPRA Transmission Performance Rules 2005. Keeping in view of the said, the authority has imposed a fine of Rs10 million on NTDC.