‘Setting a new standard for power sector in Pakistan’

 by Muhammad Salahuddin

ER: Would you like to tell us about Pakistan Cables and its recent experience of introducing ACCC® in Pakistan?

FKC: Pakistan Cables has always been on the forefront of introducing innovations and best practices in the industry. Our history as the only manufacturer in Pakistan to have technical collaborations with leading international companies such as British Insulated Calender Cable (BICC) and General Cables is a testament of our commitment to keep innovating and implementing best practices in Pakistan. As pioneers of the industry, we strongly believe in educating business partners, end users and other category players of developments that occur in the wires and cables industry around the world.

With the launch of High Tension Low Sag ACCC® (Aluminium Conductor Composite Core) for the first time in Pakistan, we have again set a new standard for the power sector. The product is offered in collaboration with CTC Global Inc., which is a US headquartered market leader in this technology.

ER: How would you describe the state of transmission lines in Pakistan?

FKC: The transmission line system of Pakistan is severely overloaded and stressed.  With new generation capacity quickly coming on line in the next few years, the transmission system needs to be upgraded both in terms of capacity and efficiency.

The current transmission system isn’t sufficient for the existing needs of evacuating electricity from the generation companies to the distribution companies.  There are many inefficiencies and line losses and there is a dire need to upgrade the transmission system.

ER: Kindly tell us what compelled NTDC to opt for ACCC Drake Conductor?

FKC: NTDC chose to look into the solution of ACCC because it is significantly more efficient conductor to the conventional ACSR used in Pakistan.  The conductor is a newer technology (known as HTLS) being introduced to Pakistan for the first time.  However, it has a proven track record with over 50,000 KM installed in over 40 countries. This allowed NTDC to re-conductor a very overloaded line on the same towers and infrastructure as the existing line.  The output of the current line was increased by as much as two times and the entire project was finished in less than 100 days.  This was a cost effective overall solution for NTDC than going with the option of adding a new line in parallel

ER: What are the benefits of this decision?

FKC: The decision allowed NTDC to enhance the capacity of the line without having to deal with major construction and right of way issues.  By simply re-conductoring the line, cost, time and line losses were all reduced.

ER: How would it affect future course of action for smooth transmission in the country?

FKC: There is a huge scope for ACCC in Pakistan, now that the pilot project is complete.  It paves the way for NTDC and the DISCOs to gain confidence in a proven technology that reduces line loss by 30%, reduces sag, eliminates right of way issues and enhances the overall efficiency of the system.  It allows for the Utilities to enhance the capacity of existing lines and can be a breakthrough solution to the challenges confronting our transmission and distribution system.  Already this technology has been embraced regionally in Bangladesh, India and Indonesia, where thousands of kilometers have been installed.  If Pakistan adapts quickly to the technology, it can be a game changer.