Grid Interconnection Study Completed

5 November 2024

Oracle Power PLC

("Oracle" or the "Company")

Completion of Transmission & Grid Interconnection Study for Proposed Renewable Power Plant

Oracle Power PLC (AIM:ORCP), an international project developer, together with its joint venture company, Oracle Energy Limited ("Oracle Energy"), a developer of green energy projects, is pleased to announce completion of the Transmission & Grid Interconnection Study (the "Study") in respect of its proposed 1.3GW hybrid renewable energy power plant in Jhimpir, Sindh Province, Pakistan. Oracle Energy, in collaboration with its joint development partner, China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co., Ltd. ("CET"), a subsidiary of State Grid Corporation of China ("State Grid China"), engaged Power Planners International (Pvt.) Ltd ("PPI"), to undertake the Study.  PPI is a distinguished company renowned for its expertise in power system analysis and planning, particularly in the domain of grid interconnection studies for renewable energy projects.

The Study, entirely funded by State Grid China, assessed the technical feasibility of interconnecting the proposed 1.3GW Hybrid Renewable Energy Power Plant (the "Hybrid RE PP"), which consists of 800MW solar power, 500MW wind power generation and a suitable battery energy storage system, to provide renewable power to the National Grid. Based on the updated transmission plan and load forecast provided by the National Transmission and Dispatch Company ("NTDC"), the Study proposes interconnecting the plant to the 220kV Jhimpir-II Grid Station via a direct 220kV double circuit transmission line of 35km in length, using a quad bundle rail conductor. The Study outlines the generation voltage for the Hybrid RE PP, which will be increased to 33kV using transformers at each inverter and collector group. The net maximum output of the plant is expected to be 1,155MW. Additionally, a 260MW battery energy storage system (BESS) is proposed to enhance system reliability, and a static var compensator (SVC) will be installed to maintain the required power factor, thereby fulfilling NTDC Grid Code requirements.

Comprehensive load flow studies were performed for peak and off-peak conditions during both summer and winter periods, demonstrating the reliability of the proposed transmission scheme under normal and contingency (N-1) conditions. Short circuit and dynamic stability analyses confirmed that fault currents are within rated capacities, and the system successfully passed dynamic stability checks, ensuring resilience under fault conditions.

The completed Study has now been submitted to NTDC for review and approval by the Pakistan Government. This approval process will be critical in advancing the project towards implementation and the Company looks forward to providing further updates in due course.

Oracle's CEO, Naheed Memon, commented: "We are pleased to confirm the completion of this key Study for our proposed hybrid renewable energy power plant in Jhimpir. This milestone marks the culmination of extensive investigative studies and sets the stage for the next phase of detailed engineering design (FEED). The findings of the Study provide a solid foundation for securing potential off-take agreements for power. Our strategic focus remains on ultimately seamlessly integrating renewable energy into the National Grid, thereby enhancing energy security and promoting sustainable development in Pakistan." 

-ENDS-

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About PPI

Power Planners International (Pvt.) Ltd is registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council and accredited with registrations in England and Wales, the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), and the Alternative Energy Development Board. PPI comprises a group of professionals who possess highly specialised skills, vast and profound experience, and expertise in the advanced and latest state-of-the-art software prevailing in the contemporary power system industry. Having a long background in power system analysis and planning with WAPDA and other electric utilities, they were ideally placed to efficiently and promptly undertake the requisite Study.