New power sub-station in the pipeline in Dimapur

A power distribution sub station in Kohima. (Representational Image courtesy Department of Power)

A power distribution sub station in Kohima. (Representational Image courtesy Department of Power)

Predicted to relieve load-shedding in the urban core

Imkong Walling
Dimapur | June 2

Power supply in Dimapur, west of the railway station is predicted to stabilize a little with a new distribution sub-station in the pipeline. As per the available information, the proposed sub-station will come up at Forest colony and is projected to reduce the prevailing demand load on Metha Sub-station. 

Officials of the Department of Power, Nagaland informed that land requisition has been finalised with the Department of Forests agreeing to lease a portion of its land in Forest colony for the project. The sub-station will hold two 10MVA distribution transformers with a combined load output of around 16MW. 

According to a Department official, “The plan is to install one 10MVA transformer initially followed by another of the same capacity later. The preliminary works are on and if installation works go as planned, it should be operational by the end of the year.”

It going operational will be significant for consumers, who have to be content with regular load shedding schedules, in densely populated urban localities and the key commercial zones in Dimapur supplied by the 33/11kv Metha Sub-station. 

For years, the sub-station has been reeling under immense demand pressure with its supply capacity stretched beyond limit. With an installed maximum supply output of 16MW, the actual consumer demand under its supervision has reached 20MW over the years. 

It has translated into a regular load-shedding ritual, area-wise, to reduce stress on its ageing equipments. Excluding unforeseen localised snags in the distribution network, the ritual involves shutting down supply to one or more feeders (lines), which results in one collective area lighting up, while another waits its turn. 

It currently operates 6 major distribution lines, which were known as “PWD, Dhobinulla, Town, ADC court (Sewak, Lotha colony), DBC (Signal Basti) and Thahekhu feeders.” 

It is predicted once the Forest colony sub-station goes operational, Metha sub-station would witness an initial load demand reduction of roughly 6-7MW. “It will further reduce by another 8MW after the addition of a second 10 MVA transformer there (Forest colony),” said the official.

He said that this will give ample room to Metha to streamline its supply apparatus, while areas originally fed by it will be permanently diverted to and supplied via the upcoming Forest colony sub-station. 

Meanwhile, setting up a “compact” 2.5MVA sub-station is also in the works in Thahekhu village. Projected to be commissioned tentatively by July, the official said that this will further relieve the load on Metha by approximately 1.5MW. 

In simple terms, a portion of the prevailing 20MW demand exerted on Metha will be transferred to the new sub-station and the mini sub-station in Thahekhu. 

“If all goes according to plan, the commissioning of the new distribution sub-stations will considerably reduce load shedding, if not entirely, for a good period of time.” 

He though added that it is subject to the quantum (real-time) allocated by the North East Regional Load Despatch Centre, Shillong.  

Nagaland’s peak power demand during the summer is estimated to vary from 110-120MW. The official informed that the requirement for Dimapur, excluding Chumoükedima, in recent years has been peaking at around 60-65MW during the summer, dipping to around 40MW in winter.