Srinagar, Oct 29 (KNO): The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) is all set to reduce the curtailment hours this winter as the supply has been increased from 1200 MegaWatts three years back to around 1900 MWs this year. Ahead of the bone-chilling cold and 10-day intermittent wet spell, the KPDCL has stated that the men and machinery are ready to tackle any eventuality.
In an exclusive chat with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chief Engineer, KPDCL, Javed Yousuf Dar, said that “If we go just three years back, we were supplying a peak of 1200 MWs during the winter time. Due to the capacity addition at transmission and at distribution level, a number of new grid stations have come, while the existing grid stations capacity have been enhanced. On the distribution side, we have been able to add more than 80 receiving stations in the last three years. Similarly, the distribution transformers have been added to the system, because of which we are in a position to supply more power.”
“Last year, we touched a peak of 1750 MWs against 1200 MWs some years back, thus there has been an increase of appreciable 550 MWs that was supplied to the consumers last year. This year, because of the various capacity enhancements that have taken place over the last few months, we expect to go around 1900MWs,” he said.
About winter preparations, he said that the major activity that has been conducted after harvesting of paddy is the branch cutting, which is necessary as the lines are at risk due to branches.
“As per past practices, the stabilization of lines and massive branch cuttings along the roots, augmentation of some critical lines have been done,” he said.
He further said reconductoring of two major lines—220KV Wagoora Line and 132 KV Mir Bazar Wanpoh line are being done while the KPDCL has also gone for buffer stock. “There is adequate stock of poles and other things available in every district,” he said.
“Over the past few years, we have been able to improve the power supply from 1200 MWs; we have been able to supply 1750 MWs last year. Definitely, this has resulted in far better power situation during the winters and has reduced the power curtailment, particularly, if we see in Pulwama belt, there has been a massive improvement in power situation because of the creation of new grid station at Lassipora, likewise in north Kashmir, we have doubled the capacity from 160 KVA to 320 MVA, Delina station is now being further augment by adding one more 160 MVA transformer bank. So, we will see some further improvement, but ultimately, the onus lies on the consumer on how to use the electricity,” he added.
He said that a consumer has an agreement with KPDCL. “It is the responsibility of people also to use electricity judiciously by not resorting to overload and excessive use of heating load, particularly the crude gadgets, which basically leads to an overloading of the system, because of which we have to resort to load shedding,” he added—(KNO)