Modi’s April 5 blackout call puts power grid on high alert

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New Delhi: Load despatch centres across the country have been told to be in high level of preparedness to counter any threat to power grid following sudden drop in demand when the country switches off electricity at their homes on the call of the Prime minister this Sunday night.

In letters written to independent power producers and central and state power transmission and distribution utilities, everyone to remain at high level of alertness to ensure smooth and safe operation of the grid before, after and during the blackout period. It is here that utilities have been asked to keep relays, capacitors and reactors serviceable so that any eventuality is handled quickly.

“…It is estimated that in case of switching off the lighting there will be a sharp 3000 MW load reduction phenomenon may occur in Uttar Pradesh in a very short duration of time. Reduction in above mentioned load may also cause a high voltage surge in the UP Power Grid,” UP State Load Despatch Centre wrote to distribution and transmission utilities emphasising to prepare ahead to ensure smooth operation of the grid.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning appealed for a 9-minute blackout at 9 p.m. on Sunday, urging citizens to light a lamp, candle or shine a mobile flashlight to dispel the darkness spread by the coronavirus.

The call immediately put the power sector managers across the country in a huddle to quickly devise a strategy to prevent the April 5 event from creating ground for a possible grid collapse and resultant blackout throughout the country.

Country’s largest power transmission utility PowerGrid Corporation has also asked all regional transmission utility staff to remain on high alert during the period of blackout and all station in-charges and and senior level executives to be present in office.

READ MORE: Modi’s April 5 blackout call puts power grid on high alert

IANS

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