NRPC bars 400 kV transmission line shutdowns from Dec to March, urges advance preparedness
Srinagar, Oct 20: Jammu and Kashmir is bracing for another winter power crisis, with electricity demand expected to match or exceed last year’s peak while hydroelectric generation is likely to remain low.
The Northern Regional Power Committee (NRPC) has warned that similar voltage problems could recur unless preventive measures are taken in advance.
According to the NRPC, demand in J&K’s control area touched around 3,200 MW last winter, particularly during morning and evening heating hours. Low hydro generation and heavy reactive power drawal from the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) resulted in critically low voltages at several stations in the Kashmir Valley.
The Committee noted that 400 kV bus voltages dropped to 347 kV, while 220 kV buses fell to 178 kV, significantly below the Indian Electricity Grid Code limits of 380 kV and 198 kV, respectively.
With demand expected to remain at similar or higher levels this winter, the NRPC has asked the J&K State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) to present a comprehensive winter preparedness plan, including the status of capacitor banks and other reactive power compensation equipment, measures to reduce reactive power drawal from the ISTS and anticipated hydro generation.
The Committee has also directed Powergrid to prioritise maintenance of the Static Var Compensator (SVC) at New Wanpoh, warning that shutdowns for maintenance would be difficult to facilitate during the December-February period.
It further advised Powergrid and IndiGrid to complete maintenance of all 400 kV transmission lines in J&K before the end of November to ensure their availability throughout the winter.
“No shutdown of 400 kV lines shall be facilitated during the December-March period,” the NRPC stated.
Highlighting another concern, the Committee recalled that power restoration in the Kashmir Valley following a partial blackout last winter was hampered by the non-availability of a synchronising trolley at the Amargarh end.
It has accordingly advised all transmission licensees in the Valley to ensure the availability of synchronising trolley facilities at substations across Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate early restoration in the event of a disruption.