NTDC, SEPCO1 sign 765kv Mansehra Substation EPC project

SEPCO1 Electronic Power Construction Corporation and the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) of Pakistan recently signed the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) project of the 765 kV Mansehra Substation.

The substation is located in Mansehra City, Northern Cape Province, Pakistan, and it undertakes the power transmission between Dasu Hydropower Station and the Islamabad Power Grid.

The project adopts 765kV voltage for the first time, which is currently the highest voltage grade substation in Pakistan, said Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA) in a tweet.

After its completion, the project will transmit clean energy from Dasu Hydropower Station, helping alleviate local power shortages and promoting economic development in Pakistan.

Talking to Gwadar Pro, the spokesman of NTDC said that the project will contribute to further electrification of currently non-electrified areas, strengthening of the grid and improvement of the quality of electricity supply.

He said, “during construction, temporary employment opportunities for local contractors and local labor will be generated. It is estimated that the project construction will utilize 150- 200 staff. Although many of these positions will require specialized skills, there will be employment opportunities for non-skilled staff.”

The construction will also induce business opportunities for small businesses or people providing goods and services to project construction or its staff (i.e. machinery, trucks, vehicles, catering, cleaning and entertainment, etc.).

“The project will have positive gender impacts through improved access to electricity or better electricity supply as improved access to electricity and power will facilitate tasks

that are carried out by women and girls and thus promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, and girls’ access to education, health care and employment,” he added.