The January 9 blackout
Editorial
February 24, 2021
An inquiry into the countrywide power blackout on January 9 this year has arrived at the conclusion that it had occurred due to a human error, the Power Division informed a parliamentary committee on Monday. The inquiry report has pinned the blame for the breakdown on some officials working at the Guddu Thermal Power Plant, bringing once again to the fore the disorganisation that characterises most spheres of public life in the country.
The blackout caused major disruption in the normal life of millions besides affecting industrial and agricultural production. In light of the finding of a preliminary inquiry report, the Central Power Generation Company had suspended seven of its employees for alleged negligence. The Power Division has received three reports on the electricity blackout and it will submit them to the federal cabinet. The Power Division’s inquiry report has also mentioned those failing to improve the National Tra
Guddu plant staff committed gross negligence
NEPRA makes inquiry report public; recommends departmental inquiry against delinquent staff
ISLAMABAD:
An inquiry report of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has found officials of the Guddu Thermal Power Plant in “gross negligence” that resulted in the countrywide blackout on January 9, this year.
The regulator recommended the management of the Guddu Power plant to initiate the departmental action against the delinquent staff regarding the instant breakdown and management reforms for systematic working.
Nepra had conducted the inquiry into the nationwide power blackout. The regulator had constituted a three-member inquiry committee, which submitted it report on February 8, 2021, and made public on Tuesday.
Human error caused Jan 9 blackout: report
SOPs not followed during maintenance working, NA panel told
The power division spokesperson also appealed to the masses to display patience. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Power Division has informed a parliamentary panel that an inquiry committee probing into last month’s countrywide blackout has held some Guddu Thermal Power Plant officials responsible.
“The problem occurred due to a human error at the Guddu power station. The error led to the tripping of the entire power system. The fault occurred as some officials did not follow SOPs [standard operating procedures] during maintenance work,” said Secretary Power Ali Raza Bhutta on Monday.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has released the inquiry report on the countrywide power breakdown on 9 January at 23:40, which
Country back to normalcy after blackout
Power supply restored in most part of Pakistan
KARACHI:
The National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) on Sunday night claimed that it has “fully restored” its transmission system whose fault on Saturday night threw the entire country into darkness. The NTDC grid stations of 220kV and 500 kV and transmission system have been fully restored across the country, the NTDC spokesman said in a press statement.
“Power has been restored in Peshawar, Islamabad, Jhelum, Gujarat, Sargodha, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Sahiwal, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Dharki, Guddu, Rohri, Shikarpur, Dera Murad Jamali, Sibi and Quetta Industrial areas.