A sample power quality survey for emerging competitive electricity market in Pakistan

Power sector in Pakistan, like in other countries, is passing through restructuring process, i.e. from monopolized/state owned power system to competitive power market. Competition in open market requires definition and comparative measurement of power quality, as a product. Additionally, poor power quality has already caused serious damage to industrial base and needs. This paper focuses on power quality problems in Pakistan and generally in third world countries. A detailed power quality measurements survey was performed for general and internationally defined power quality aspects. Some of the power quality aspects were then simulated to confirm the results. This power quality survey and simulations will provide an estimate of power quality levels, which will help and give direction for defining local power quality standards, specific remedies, and penalties to sources of power quality problems/polluters. Based on the sample power quality survey, certain conclusions and recommendations were developed.