LAHORE, Dec 17: The National Grid Company of Pakistan (NGC) on Monday commissioned the 500-kilovolt Lahore North Grid Station, a major addition to the country’s power transmission infrastructure aimed at reinforcing electricity supply to Punjab’s industrial heartland and improving the evacuation of energy generated under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The project, implemented by NGC at a cost of Rs20.7 billion, was financed by the Asian Development Bank under its Multi-Tranche Financing Facility, reflecting continued international support for Pakistan’s energy sector development.
The newly operational grid station has a transformation capacity of 3,000 megavolt amperes (MVA) at the 500/220kV level and 750 MVA at the 220/132kV level. It is connected to the national transmission system through 113 kilometres of 500kV and 45 kilometres of 220kV transmission lines, significantly enhancing Lahore’s integration with the national grid.
Officials said the Lahore North Grid Station will play a pivotal role in evacuating electricity from major power generation sources, including coal-fired plants developed under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The facility will also ensure optimal utilisation of the ±660kV Lahore–Matiari High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line, one of the flagship energy corridor projects jointly developed by Pakistan and China.
“This grid station is a strategic addition to Pakistan’s transmission backbone and directly supports power projects established under CPEC,” said NGC Managing Director Engr. Altaf Hussain Malik while addressing the commissioning ceremony. “It will significantly improve system reliability, reduce transmission losses, and ensure a stable electricity supply for millions of consumers.”
The project is expected to ease pressure on existing substations in Lahore, Gujranwala and surrounding regions, while improving voltage profiles for industrial, commercial, agricultural and domestic consumers. Energy officials noted that the strengthened network will be particularly beneficial for export-oriented industries operating in Punjab.
In a statement, NGC said the Lahore North Grid Station represents a cornerstone in its vision to build a resilient, efficient and future-ready power transmission network capable of supporting Pakistan’s economic growth. By reinforcing the transmission backbone serving one of the country’s most economically vibrant regions, the project contributes to energy security and sustainable development.
Over the past decade, Pakistan has added thousands of megawatts to its generation capacity, much of it through CPEC cooperation with China. However, officials emphasise that continuous upgrades to transmission and distribution networks remain essential to fully realise the benefits of these energy investments and ensure uninterrupted power supply across the country.