NGC commences construction of 220kV Gharo Grid Station

LAHORE: The National Grid Company of Pakistan (NGC) has commenced construction of the 220/132 kV Gharo Grid Station in Thatta district, Sindh.

Deputy Managing Director (AD&M) Engr Rasheed A Bhutto, along with Engr Nadeem Ali Kazmi, Managing Director of Siemens Energy, and Sebastian Jacob, Country Director of the German development bank, KfW, jointly laid the foundation stone at the project site.

According to an NGC spokesperson, the project aims to ensure reliable transmission of environment-friendly electricity generated by wind power plants operating in the Gharo Wind Clusters. KfW has provided 27 million euros in funding for the construction of the grid station, which is expected to be completed within 24 months.

The project includes two high-power 220/132kV, 250 MVA auto-transformers, two 220kV line bays for double-circuit transmission lines linked to the Jhimpir and Dhabeji grid stations, and four 132 kV line bays dedicated to Gharo wind power plants. NGC’s Managing Director, Engr Altaf Hussain Malik, commended the project delivery, south team, for initiating work and emphasized the need to maintain high construction standards and adhere to timelines.

Speaking at the ceremony, Engr Rasheed A Bhutto underscored the project’s significance, urging contractors to follow the approved schedule. He said that the Gharo Grid Station will boost renewable energy integration, strengthen the national transmission system, enhance voltage stability across NGC and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) networks, and help reduce system losses. Siemens Energy’s Managing Director, Engr Nadeem Ali Kazmi, and KfW Country Director Sebastian Jacob reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration with NGC.

The ceremony was attended by Engr Muhammad Akram Dharejo, General Manager Project Delivery (South); Engr Muhammad Shahid Nazir, General Manager Project Delivery (North); Engr Muhammad Rafiq, General Manager Asset Management (South); Muhammad Ibrahim, General Manager (Media & PR); along with chief engineers, NGC officers, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders.