An inquiry committee of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) has identified governance, ownership problems and poor chain of command for countrywide power breakdown early this year. AP/File
ISLAMABAD: An inquiry committee of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) has identified governance, ownership problems and poor chain of command for countrywide power breakdown early this year, but has absolved its own team of any responsibility.
In its report, the four-member inquiry committee also quoted letters written by some of its members for improvement of the electricity generation system and its safety protocols and equipment to prove that the NTDC had been highlighting the system’s weaknesses.
The National Transmission and Dispatch Company’s (NTDC) inquiry committee, while absolving its own team of responsibility, has identified governance, ownership problems, and poor chain of command for nationwide power breakdown.
In its report, the four-member committee quoted letters written by some of its members for improvement of the electricity generation system and its safety protocols to maintain that the NTDC has been highlighting the system’s weaknesses.
No NTDC’s officer/official has been found negligent for the discharge of his duties, as the event which initiated this widespread breakdown was not in NTDC’s system, rather it was in the 220kv Switchyard of Guddu Old Thermal Power Station under the control of CPGCL (Central Power Generation Company Limited).
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
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.