The first unit of K-Electric’s Bin Qasim Power Station 3 (BQPS-III) is currently offline following a fault identified during a test being conducted as part of plant’s commissioning.
Per a statement by K-Electric, “The development arose during testing being performed by Siemens AG as part of the final stages of commissioning. Representatives from Siemens AG and Harbin Electric International, the contractor’s consortium, immediately initiated assessment. While the plant is still under Test Run, we are closely monitoring the progress and have full confidence in the team of global experts tasked to resolve this on priority. Early assessment confirm that the fault is isolated to a section of gas turbine. Restoration time is currently estimated at 8-10 weeks. A detailed root cause analysis is also underway.”
It is pertinent to mention that the unit had achieved full load multiple times in the past month. Currently, the power supply to the city is as per routine schedule announced on June 30th 2022 and available on KE website.
K-Electric (KE) is a public listed company incorporated in Pakistan in 1913 as KESC. Privatized in 2005 KE is the only vertically integrated utility in Pakistan supplying electricity within a 6500 km square territory including Karachi and its adjoining areas. The majority shares (66.4%) of the company are listed in the PSX owned by KES Power, a consortium of investors including Aljomaih Power Limited of Saudi Arabia, National Industries Group (Holding), Kuwait, and the Infrastructure and Growth Capital Fund (IGCF). The Government of Pakistan is also a minority shareholder (24.36%) in the company.
