Power breakdown in Pakistan-most parts of country still without electricity

 Major power breakdown plunges the country into darkness yesterday night

After a massive power breakdown plunged the country into darkness late Saturday, the electricity supply hasn't been  restored in many parts of the country on Sunday evening January 10. In many parts of the country millions of people are still without electricity. It was the major breakdown that occurred in last few years. It is also one of the longest breakdown of power in Pakistan.  

The efforts to restore the power supply in entire country are still going on. Major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and others are still experiencing long power failures. It might take some more time before the full restoration of power and stable supply.  

Even though, government ministers prematurely announced to fully restored the electricity throughout the country around afternoon in a press conference. Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan said the power breakdown occurred due to a technical fault at the Guddu power plant which resulted in frequency falling from 50 to zero in seconds. He added that the authorities managed to restart Tarbela power station and began restoring supply. 

Addressing a press conference alongside Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz, the energy minister said  it would take a few more hours for power to be fully restored across the country.

“We energised Tarbela power plant twice, which initiated the restoration process," he said, adding that electricity has been restored in Islamabad, Faisalabad, Jhang and Multan, while K-Electric has been provided 400MVA.

Omar Ayub said teams are facing difficulties due to heavy fog and the exact reason behind the technical fault will be identified once the fog lifts. "The reason for the breakdown has not been ascertained yet. The technical fault occurred in a particular area," he said. 

As usual, the federal ministers criticised past governments for focusing solely on power generation and neglecting the transmission system. "Under the government of PML-N, the country saw eight major power breakdowns," said the energy minister.

"When the incumbent government assumed office, no work had been done to upgrade the transmission system. We are now investing in the transmission and distribution system. 

The entire country plunged into darkness after it suffered complete power breakdown a few minutes before midnight. All the major cities of the country were left without electricity for whole night.  

The power blackout was caused by a sudden drop of frequency in the high transmission line (HTL) to 0 from 50. According to initial report, a technical fault appeared in the Guddu Power House at 11:45pm, owing to which the frequency in high transmission line (HTL) instantly went down, causing the closure of all power houses across the country.

Experts say that when a large plant trips, the voltage and frequency drops instantly. Plants that are on system are designed to automatically open breakers and isolate themselves to avoid damage. The power houses will now be back in the system one by one.

Managing Director National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) Khawaja Rifat Hassan has formed a high-level committee to investigate the cause of power breakdown.

A spokesman for NTDC said efforts were being made to restore the transmission system. “Power will be restored first for Islamabad and then in the whole country in phases.

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