Flooding devastates Pakistani grid

LAHORE, PAKISTAN - The effects of the flooding in Pakistan are so wide-ranging as to be almost incomprehensible. The devastating floods have not only taken more than 1,400 lives and displaced thousands more, but also have heavily affected the power and water sectors, with thousands of power distribution lines washed out, power stations flooded, and gas supplies malfunctioning.

In the worst-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP and Sindh, the Minister of Water and Power Rajah Pervais Ashraf reported that the floods had "destroyed the majority of transmission lines and grid stations 10,000 transmission lines had been completely destroyed while all grid stations in KP were submerged in flood water."

The minister declined to provide precise estimates of the cost of the damages, stating that Pakistan's prime minister had directed that the damage cost should be certified by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank ADB.

However, the state-owned Pakistan Electric Power Company Private Limited PEPCO estimated a few days ago that the costs due to losses in power generation capacity could reach $47 million across the country.

Several power stations were reported by the minister to be out of action as a result of floodwaters entering their boundaries. These include the power plants at Orient, Fauji Kabirwala, Rousch and Saif — all of which have generating capacities of 200 megawatts MW — and the 350-MW plants of AES Lal Pir and AES Pak Gen.

Hydropower projects have not escaped damage from the heavy rains and flooding. Hydro projects at Allai Khawar, Jinnah Hydropower, Rainy Canal, Khan Khawar and several smaller plants have been affected by flash floods, according to the minister. About 150 small and medium hydro facilities, including canals, dams and power generation plants have been badly damaged.

Power stations not directly affected by the floodwaters have been hit by losses in fuel oil and gas supplies. The refinery at Multan, operated by the Pak-Arab Refinery Limited PARCO and which processes one third of the country's crude oil, has been forced to close, cutting supplies of fuel oil to power plants. In total, some 1,000 MW to 1,500 MW of generating capacity has become unavailable due to fuel oil shortages.

With the majority of electricity in Pakistan generated by gas-fired power stations, the closure of the Khand Kot and Qadirpur gas fields and the resulting closure of nine power plants have also impacted the power generation capacity. The Ministry of Water and Power has reportedly requested the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to redirect gas supplies from other sources to enable these plants to recommence power generation.

As the rains continue to fall in Pakistan, Prime Minister Asif Ali Zardari said, "The damage to life, property, livestock and infrastructure was so huge that it could be faced only with the concerted efforts of all the people of Pakistan with the support and assistance of the international community."

Both the World Bank and the ADB have confirmed that they will provide financial assistance to rehabilitate the power sector infrastructure damaged by the floods. The United Nations has called for at least $460 million in international emergency aid, but estimates that the costs of the disaster will reach billions of dollars.

As of August 12, only $150 million in assistance had been pledged from 30 countries, with the United States leading the way with $76 million. The Indian External Affairs Minister, SM Krishna, said, "The Government of India has offered assistance of $5 million for the provision of relief material from India for the victims of the massive floods that have adversely affected Pakistan."