Balloki combined-cycle power (CCP) plant is being developed in the Kasur district of Punjab, Pakistan. The 1.2GW project is being developed by the Government of Pakistan through the National Power Park Management Company Limited (NPPMCL), which is the holding company for the plant.
The $874.7m project is being developed to address the growing power needs of Pakistan, which is facing a significant shortfall of electricity along with frequent blackouts.
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Construction of the plant was commenced in November 2015 and is expected to be completed by 2017.
Balloki power plant site and location details
NPPMCL chose the site near Kasur based on load flow, power evacuation and availability of water, grid station and transmission lines.
The site is located approximately 3.7km from the Changa Manga-Chunian Road and provides connectivity to the spur gas pipeline, which will supply gas to the plant.
Balloki combined-cycle power plant make-up
The power plant will consist of two GE H-class 9HA.01 gas turbines, two heat recovery steam generators and one steam turbine. The gas turbines are air-cooled and have high-reliability and efficiency thereby being cost-effective in converting fuel to electricity.
Additional facilities of the plant include a primary re-gasified liquid natural gas fuel system, a secondary diesel fuel system, water cooled condensers and a cooling tower. Temporary facilities include office accommodation, access roads, portable water, storm water drainage, sewerage, fencing and water supply.
The plant will be fitted with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR)-based nitrogen oxide system in order to control nitrogen oxide emissions and improve efficiency.
The plant will initially operate in the open-cycle mode and shift to combined-cycle mode after few months.
Gas supply for the CCP plant
NPPMCL has signed a contract with Sui Northern Gas Pipelines to supply gas to the power plant. Sui Northern will supply gas from the Sawan gas field by constructing a 30in-diameter, 8km-long spur gas pipeline from the offtake point to the power plant.
The pipeline is expected to be commissioned in the last quarter of 2016.
Power transmission
Power generated by the Balloki CCP plant will be fed to the nearest 500kV grid station located at Lahore South. Approximately 40km of 500kV transmission lines as well as a 500kV switchyard and step-up transformers will be constructed to connect to the grid.
Contractors involved
A joint venture of China-based Harbin Electric International Company and Habib Rafiq has been appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project.
Abdullah Idrees was appointed as the mechanical, electrical and plumbing design contractor.
GE is supplying its 9HA gas turbines and one steam turbine for the project. The company has subcontracted Flenco to supply auxiliary systems for the plant.
Power market in Pakistan
The construction of the Balloki CCP plant is aimed at addressing the acute electricity shortage facing Pakistan. Frequent power cuts and blackouts are common in the country, which is expected to face a shortage of 5GW.
Pakistan is undertaking a number of power projects to meet the growing demand for power. It is adopting a wide portfolio of projects including hydel power, oil and gas, solar and biogas to meet the demand. A total of 37 projects have already been completed, while some are expected to be completed by 2017.
Along with the Balloki power plant, the government has also approved the construction of the 1.1GW Bhikki CCP plant. Together the plants are expected to supply power to roughly 12 million homes.
Some of the other power projects being undertaken in the country include the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant II, Tarbela and Mangla hydel projects and a coal-fired power plant in the Sahiwal district.
