Sector 129 substation overloaded, flats off Noida Expressway face outages

NOIDA: The 220kV substation at Sector 129 which supplies power to sectors along both sides of the Noida Expressway, along with some commercial and institutional connections, is working at a nearly 50% higher load of connections than desired, which often results in snags leading to outages in these areas.
Given the rising population another 220 kv substation is required for the area and is in the pipeline. Meanwhile, supply from the Sector 129 substation is provided through makeshift arrangements by clubbing 2-3 sectors to one connection of the 33/11 kv line and so on. Officials maintain they will streamline supply distribution work in a week.
“This is a result of a haphazard distribution network which has relied on makeshift arrangements given the rise in population and demand along the expressway sectors,” said PK Srivastava, superintending engineer (SE) of UP Power Transmission Corporation Limited (UPPTCL).
According to Srivastava, ideally up to 18 sectors should be given supply from the 220 kV substation at Sector 129 along with about 100 MVA connections on the 33 kV line. “But in reality, the Sector 129 substation is providing supply to 22 numbers 33/11 kV substation, 18 residential societies and 13 other institutions such as commercial, industrial and corporates. This adds to about 50% load over and above its desired capacity,” he said.
As a result, sectors along both sides of the Noida Expressway often face outages, voltage fluctuations, tripping etc. due to overload.
Additionally, some other areas of Noida are also provided supply from the Sector 129 substation. According to sources in the power department, this amounts to nearly one-third of sectors in the city.
Given the situation, the makeshift distribution arrangement from Sector 129 needs to be spruced up. In the absence of repair work, faults in cable joints, breakers, current transformer, etc., have been on the rise for the past 2-3 weeks in areas which are supplied power from Sector 129.
Senior officials of both transmission and distribution departments have met to address the issues and steps are being taken to strengthen the system. “We are making a proposal for breakers, current transformer and potential transformer (CTPT) etc., and will be sending it to the headquarters for approval of the budget. Plans to install about 8-10 breakers are part of this,” said an official from the power department who adds that they expect to strengthen the system in a week to 10 days.