Srinagar, Oct 20 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir is staring at a repeat of last winter's ‘power crisis’, with demand expected to match or exceed last year's peak while hydro generation stays lean. Officials warn that unless action is taken now, the same conditions will return.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), The Northern Regional Power Committee (NRPC) said that “Last winter, demand in the J&K control area rose to around 3,200 MW as heating load picked up in the early morning and night hours.”
“Hydro generation was low and large amounts of MVAr were drawn from the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) nodes, so bus voltages at several stations in the Kashmir valley stayed critically low,” the Committee said.
It also said that the 400 kV buses fell to 347 kV and 220 kV buses to 178 kV, well below the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) limits of 380 kV and 198 kV.
NRPC said that low voltage in the valley comes back every winter. “It was discussed in several forums, including the recent TCC and NRPC meetings held at Srinagar.”
The Committee further said that “Demand is expected to be similar or higher this winter, and hydro generation is likely to be lean again, so the same conditions are likely to return unless action is taken in advance.”
NRPC in this regard urged J&K SLDC to present its winter preparedness plan to the forum. “The plan should cover the status of capacitor banks and other reactive compensation in the valley.”
It also said that the plan should measures to reduce MVAr drawal from the ISTS and the expected hydro generation for the winter.
“Powergrid may ensure that all maintenance work of SVC at New Wanpoh is carried out now on priority as it would be difficult to provide any shutdown for New Wanpoh SVC in the December-February period,” the Committee said.
Furthermore, the Committee also advised Powergrid and Indigrid both to carry out any maintenance activities of 400kV lines in J&K before November end so that all the transmission lines are available from December-March period.
“No shutdown of 400kV lines shall be facilitated during December-March period,” NRPC said.
The official document also said that “During last winter, while charging Kashmir valley after partial blackout, it was observed that power could not be extended due to non-availability of synchronizing trolley at Amargarh end.”
“Accordingly, all transmission licenses in Kashmir valley are advised to ensure availability of synchronizing trolley facility at substations in Jammu and Kashmir for early restoration,” it reads—(KNO)