UT administration seeks report on power supply to meet summer demand

CHANDIGARH: The UT Administration on Tuesday has sought a report from the electricity department on the power supply to meet demand this summer.

A senior UT official said that during the recent review meeting, the senior officials have sought a report from the electricity department. Though the electricity department officials had briefed senior officials about their plans but the detailed report was sought from the department, the official added.

Meanwhile, the UT electricity department has already started discussions with different power exchanges and states to purchase additional power.

According to the estimates, the peak power demand in the coming summers will touch 404 MW. Besides, the peak power demand in Chandigarh will jump to 448MW in the financial year 2021-22.

The UT electricity department in its multi-year tariff (MYT) petition filed before the joint electricity regulatory commission (JERC), has submitted details about the peak hour demand in the coming years.

With the population projected to grow at a high rate, the UT electricity department is already facing a tough challenge of providing uninterrupted power supply to the city residents.

The electricity department also plans to improve its power infrastructure. According to the official record, there are five 33KV substations and 13 66KV substations located in different parts of the city. According to laid down norms, a substation has a life span of 25 years. Around six 66 KV substations have crossed their life span and the number of such substations will continue to grow. Plan is afoot to build 12 new 66KV grid substations in the next 10 years, while the existing 66KV substations will be upgraded. There is an overhead transmission line of 2,037km in the city, which will be converted into an underground line.