Due to shortage of space to install new power infrastructure, BSES Rajdhani Power limited (BRPl) are facing challenges in network augmentation in many areas in Delhi, affecting discoms’ ability to meet the increasing power demand.
Sources claimed that non-availability of land is also hampering robust power supply and augmentation of distribution network in around 600 slums and 600 unauthorised colonies. Apart from massive encroachment in the slums, discoms face resistance from the locals as they do not allow officials to install new poles in front of their flats and also resist in providing any space for installation of new transformers.
BSES is regularly exploring all possibilities to find cost-effective and workable solutions for addressing this space constraint. After deploying innovative solution like a ‘Double Decker Sub Station’ BSES Rajdhani Power limited (BRPl) has now deployed Delhi’s first 2 MVA distribution transformers.
BRPl CEO Amal Sinha said, “Since inception, BRPl has taken a lead in adopting innovative technologies to ensure reliable and quality power supply to its nearly 24 lakh consumers. Deployment of this 2 MVA transformer is a testimonial to these efforts”.
“We have spent around Rs 10 crore in preparing for the summers of 2017 in the Jamia Nagar area by setting-up a power transformer and new feeders and plan to spend upto Rs 4 crore before the next summer season,” Sinha added.
A senior official said the present load of the area is around 3.8 MVA and the existing distribution transformer in the area is heavily overloaded.
“This hermetically sealed transformer takes marginally higher space than a 990 KVA transformer, but enhances the distribution capacity by two times. It is also almost maintenance free. It took around two-months to deploy this solution and will benefit residents in R and S Blocks of Joga Bai extension near Batla House,” he said.
According to a BSES spokesperson, “Massive increase in the network capacity helped BSES discoms to meet the unprecedented load growth. During the FY 2016-2017, BSES discoms invested a capex of around Rs 700 crore (BRPl Rs 448 crore, BYPl Rs 252 crore) to strengthen the infrastructure and adding a transformation capacity of around 600 MVA. During the year, BSES discoms also installed over 670 transformers and augmented capacity of scores of others to boost the network capacity.
The power major BSES Rajdhani Power limited (BRPl) and BSES Yamuna Power limited (BYPl) are facing constraints in expanding the electricity network in many unauthorised colonies due to multiple reasons, includes Shaheen Bagh near Sarita Vihar, Mahipalpur Chowk, Mehrauli, Gandhi Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Harsh Vihar, Ghitorni, Bijwasan and Rajpur Khud, Karawal Nagarm, Daryaganj Chandan Chowk and Kishangargh.
Massive encroachment is another obstacle in expanding network in these areas as the colonies like Shaheen Bagh do not have space to lay down the electricity infrastructure.
“Many electricity poles and even transformers that was hosting 25 KVA HVDS in the area have been either damaged or removed while constructing flats by the residents,” the official said.
Taking advantage of the ground conditions, many residents with legal connections are indulging in power theft by illegally tapping into the discom lines, making the situation worse. At the same times, the power supply of regular colonies also gets impacted due to their proximity to unauthorised colonies with rampant power theft, the official added.
According to the sources, power theft has become an organised trade in such colonies. There are local contractors who collect monthly charges from the residents and give them stolen electricity, resulting in substantial revenue loss to the discoms.
“Efforts of discom enforcement teams to check irregularities, is often thwarted by the residents. Whenever enforcement teams reach there, residents of the area ‘gherao’ them and don’t let them check their premises. With such issues, not only are the discoms unable to augment their electricity infrastructure in the area, but due to rampant encroachments, the entire area is sitting on a tinder-box, posing a serious threat to the safety of the residents. For meeting the existing and future needs of the area, discoms need to strengthen and augment its distribution system. For this, it needs suitable spaces for installing new transformers and electric poles,” they said.