Optimization and Selection of Conductor for New Generation 500kV Overhead Transmission Line in Northern Pakistan for Evacuation of Bulk Hydropower

The energy sector stakeholders in Pakistan are taking necessary steps to develop and utilize the immense hydro power potential identified in Northern part of the country. Currently, a number of large scale hydro power projects are being set-up in this area under the ambit of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement. However, the existing power transmission network of Pakistan is limited up till Muzaffarabad and new EHV transmission lines are required to be constructed for evacuation of power from these upcoming northern hydro power projects. The work presented in this paper details the optimization and selection of suitable power conductor for the integrated 500 kV transmission network arrangement for evacuation of power from the cluster of Suki Kinari, Kohala, Azad Pattan and Karot hydro power projects with an accumulative installed capacity of 4000 MW.