Slight improvement in power situation, allocation exceeds 50% of total requirement
DIMAPUR, APRIL 22 (MExN): Electricity supply in Nagaland is expected to improve provided the rain keeps its date. According to Power department officials, there has been a slight improvement in power allocation to the state during the past couple of days.
“Allocation (of power) has improved a little ... but not appreciably,” said a department official Monday evening, while adding that it will greatly depend on the rains. Almost the entire North East region is entirely dependent on river-based hydro-generated electricity, which makes the region vulnerable to power scarcity during lean or dry spells. The official further stated that if the seasonal rains keep its date as expected, the situation might improve in the upcoming days.
Nagaland has been surviving on less than 50 percent of actual power requirement for many months. However, during the past two days, the allocation from the North Eastern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NERLDC) has noticeably increased with Nagaland receiving on average between 60-70 mega watts (MW). In the days and months preceding this, the allocation hovered below 50 MWs.
According to information sourced from the State Load Dispatch Centre, Nagarjan, Dimapur, as of Monday evening, the total allocation from the NERLDC was around 70 MWs. Of the allocation, Dimapur and Kohima electrical divisions were consuming (or were being allotted) around 62 MWs with the lion’s share going to Dimapur division at 44 MWs and Kohima division receiving 18 MWs. Mokokchung division has been drawing from Doyang Hydro project. The total requirement for the entire state is tipped at 110 MWs.
With that said, if at all the state receives its requirement of 110 MWs, the present transmission infrastructure is in no position to withstand the load. To cite an example, the requirement for Dimapur division alone far exceeds the installed transmission capacity of only 65 MWs; the reason for the department sending for procurement of bigger transmission equipment.
The said transmission equipment (transformer) with an output capacity of 100 MVA is yet to reach to Dimapur. The order for the transformer was placed in 2011. It was expected to arrive in December 2012; four months into 2013, its arrival is still awaited.
