Technical case for a mega-scale solar energy installation for the national power grid of Pakistan

Pakistan's electricity distribution system is unreliable and vulnerable to major faults. The mega solar plant proposed here would generate 1.271 × 109 kilowatt-hours (kW h) of electricity, supply continuously 320 000 households, and approximately reduce the carbon footprint by 90 750 tons of CO2 emissions every year. Real time domain simulations are performed by modelling 3312 buses and the entire power architecture of Pakistan (500 kV–11 kV) in PSS®E. The model allows successful photovoltaic installation to the 220 kV system of the National Transmission and Despatch Company, Pakistan, without any transmission constraints. Transient stability studies have been undertaken for various fault conditions alongside power quality analysis and grid connection requirements. The studies have revealed favourable results based on which a technical case has been made and recommendations are presented for the installation.