Delhi may face fewer power cuts

This winter may be a tad easy on Delhi, with electricity transmission utilities in the national capital having started work on a new technology that makes power lines immune to tripping from fog - an annual threat to uninterrupted power supply in winter.' HT reports.

This winter may be a tad easy on Delhi, with electricity transmission utilities in the national capital having started work on a new technology that makes power lines immune to tripping from fog - an annual threat to uninterrupted power supply in winter.'

HT Image

Every year, fog trips power transmission lines in north India, as dust particles present in condensed moisture in the air cause short circuits and trip the line. The discoms, BSES and NDPL, are gearing up to meet a power load that is between 10 and 15% more than the previous winter.

Delhi Transco, along with Power Grid Corporation Limited (PGCL), has installed polymer insulators in 80% of the 400 KV (high voltage) lines, so that fog, mist or any other kind of moisture in the air in winter does not cause the electricity lines to trip.

As of now, these transmission lines carry insulators made of porcelain, which do not protect the transmission from fog-related tripping. "Work on the high voltage lines is almost over. The 220 KV lines are being washed with distilled water. We hope to have a trouble-free winter," said AK Kaul, director (Operations), Delhi Transco.

Against last winter's peak demand of 2,300 MW, Delhi's power distributors - BSES Rajdhani and BSES Yamuna - are looking to meet a demand of 2,600 MW.

"The power from Dadri is still restricted to 100MW, which is far less than what is committed to Delhi. If that arrives in time, we will have a huge surplus," said a company official.