The Electricity Department has initiated a slew of works to upgrade power distribution infrastructure in the urban areas of Puducherry.
Utilising the funds allocated by the Union Government for the power sector, the department has started installing new transformers and replacing oil-type ring main units (a switchgear used for medium voltage power distribution) with the gas-based units.
Under the Centre’s Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (RAPDRP), the department will install 200 new transformers of varying capacity. The Centre has sanctioned ₹84.78 crore under the programme for power infrastructure improvement.
The installation of new transformers will solve the problem of low voltage and distribution issues normally resulting from the overloading of transformers, a senior official with the department told The Hindu .
Moreover, the replacement of existing ring units and their linking to the Supervisory Control Centre would make the distribution network more efficient. The new units will have inbuilt mechanism to trip whenever there is a surge in the voltage, thus making the distribution network more safe, the official added.
Electronic meters
The department plans to replace the existing meters with electronic energy ones. Under the RAPDRP, the Deen Dayal Upadhaya Gram Jyoti Yojana and the Integrated Power Development Scheme, around 1.5 lakh electronic energy meters would be installed. This would prevent power pilferage and loss, leading to more revenue generation, he added.
The three Central schemes would be tapped to lay underground cable lines, especially in areas close to the seashore.
Another major work the department proposed to take up was modernising the old substations at Bahour and Villianur. The substations, the receiving point of electricity from Neyveli, would see a major overhaul of equipment under the Power System Development Fund, another Centrally sponsored scheme.
New equipment
Of the projects worth ₹10.5 crore to be taken up in the two substations, the Centre would provide 90% of the amount.
The substations would get two new transformers and a current sensing equipment used for measurement and protection purpose.
The control and relay panels would be replaced, the official said.
Meanwhile, the department is in final stages of completing the 230 kV substation at Karaikal.
Once the substation becomes operational, the department will stop drawing power from Tamil Nadu and then switch over to the Central power generating units for drawing power, the official said.
