NTDC -a hub of “vested interests”

ISLAMABAD: The ongoing crisis at the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) has reportedly stemmed from internal incompetence, infighting, personal interests, and disagreements over the execution model of the Matiari–Moro–Rahim Yar Khan transmission line project, well-informed sources told Newzshewz.
According to an official notification, Qaiser Khan, Deputy Managing Director (Planning & Engineering), has been made Officer on Special Duty (OSD), and his position will be filled through the due process.
Unconfirmed reports suggest his removal followed a heated exchange with a senior official in Islamabad regarding the proposed mode for the transmission line project. Sources claim the official wanted the project executed under the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. However, Khan opposed the move, arguing that NTDC could implement the project at one-third of the cost compared to the IPP route.
Dr. Khawaja Riffat Hussain, General Manager (Transmission System Grid), has been given the additional charge of DMD as a temporary measure. Sources noted that Dr. Riffat has previously sent formal complaints to the Power Division against his colleagues.
Similarly, Waseem Saadat, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of NTDC, has also been made OSD. His appointment dated February 2, 2023, has been withdrawn. The position of CFO for the National Grid Company (NGC), formerly NTDC, will now be filled through a headhunting firm.
“My information is that these transfers are linked to incompetence and close ties with certain contractors,” a source claimed. “Qaiser Khan and Waseem Saadat were removed for holding views contrary to some senior officials in Islamabad. There was also a proposal to push for IPP-based execution, which is far costlier. Qaiser Khan maintained that NTDC could execute the same projects at 50% of the IPP cost, and Waseem Saadat subtly endorsed his stance.”
Jamshaid Iqbal, Dy. GMF (B&R) and CIA (on additional charge) has been assigned the additional charge as a stop gap arrangement, in addition to his own duties.
Sajjad Haider has been assigned the General Manager (P&CM) current charge, Sohail Mumtaz Bajwa CE (Substation design) and holding additional charge as GM(HR) has been made General Manager (PSP) on current charge and Nisar Akhtar has been made OSD with headquarter, Lahore.
Abdul Rauf, Additional, DG (Finance) PMU has been look after charge of CIA (NGC) in addition to his own duties.
An expert commenting on the broader issues said, “It’s a misconception that underutilization of the HVDC link forces us to run power plants in the north. The real issue lies in the nature of current source HVDC links, which require voltage support at the receiving end. The link operates at full capacity only when that support is in place.”
He added, “The root error was selecting the wrong technology at the inception. We should have gone with Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology instead of a current source HVDC link. Globally, 90% of HVDC lines are dedicated interconnectors. We are unique in trying to run ours parallel to the AC network.”
“Unfortunately, many of these projects are forced upon professionals under the guise of being ‘game-changers’,” he concluded.
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