KSEB aims overhaul of network

Project to bring down transmission and distribution loss from 14% to 9%

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is gearing up to launch a project for providing uninterrupted power supply, eliminating electrical accidents and conservation by bringing down transmission and distribution loss from the current 14% to 9% by 2021.

Those associated with the project told The Hindu that consistent efforts made over a period of time has helped the board scale down transmission and distribution loss from 30% to 14%, but the system demands a thorough overhauling for making it more reliable and thus ensuring round-the-clock supply.

The focus is on developing multiple sources for recharging the distribution ring than relying on a single source.

Alternative sources for recharging the distribution network is key to attaining international standards in seamless power supply.

The network efficiency should be enhanced for ensuring supply reliability and for making use of renewable energy sources being tapped by various agencies.

Shift in focus

The network administration system would be given a thorough overhaul and engineers preoccupied with administrative affairs would be able to concentrate more on improving the efficacy of the network. This would be done across the spectrum, from the ranks of assistant engineers manning section offices to the highest echelons of the supply chain, sources said.

Project management units with a dedicated team of engineers would be constituted for constantly monitoring the supply link and renewable energy tie-ups. They will address snags threatening to derail power supply and avert accidents.

The units will look after the functioning of the 25 electrical circles across the State. Generally, a large district is divided into two electric circles, for instance Thiruvananthapuram has two circles, but smaller districts have only one.

Geo-mapping of network

The board has already completed geo-mapping of its distribution network as a prelude to the project. The project would be submitted to the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission for approval and is expected to be launched in April and completed by 2021, the sources said.