500kV Lahore North Grid Station strengthens Punjab’s power transmission network
The National Grid Company of Pakistan (NGC) has commissioned the 500-kilovolt (kV) Lahore North Grid Station, marking a significant milestone in strengthening electricity transmission infrastructure and improving power evacuation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project is designed to enhance the reliability of electricity supply to Punjab’s key industrial zones while supporting the efficient transfer of power generated from large-scale energy projects.
Developed at a cost of Rs. 20.7 billion, the project was financed by the Asian Development Bank under its Multi-Tranche Financing Facility. According to NGC, the grid station represents a major investment in modernizing Pakistan’s transmission system to meet growing electricity demand and reduce system constraints.
P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor
The Lahore North 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 grid through 113 kilometers of 500kV and 45 kilometers of 220kV transmission lines, enabling seamless integration of Lahore into the country’s high-voltage transmission network.
Officials stated that the grid station will play a pivotal role in evacuating electricity from major generation sources, including coal-based power plants established under CPEC. It will also ensure optimal utilization 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.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, NGC Managing Director Engr. Altaf Hussain Malik said the Lahore North Grid Station is a strategic addition to Pakistan’s transmission backbone and directly supports CPEC-related power projects. He noted that the facility will improve system stability, reduce transmission losses, and help deliver a more reliable power supply to millions of consumers.
The new grid station is expected to reduce the load on existing substations in Lahore, Gujranwala, and surrounding areas, while improving voltage profiles for industrial, commercial, agricultural, and domestic users. NGC emphasized that the project reflects its long-term vision of building a resilient, efficient, and future-ready transmission network.
While Pakistan has added substantial generation capacity over the past decade—much of it through CPEC cooperation—officials acknowledge that robust transmission and distribution infrastructure is essential to fully realize the benefits of these investments. The commissioning of the Lahore North Grid Station is seen as a key step toward ensuring energy security and supporting sustainable economic growth.