Power infra push: Rs 40-crore transformers to be installed in Chandigarh

For smooth supply of power, Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) has planned to install new distribution transformers (DT) across the city with an investment of Rs 40 crore over a period of five years, from 2025-26 to 2029-30.

In a petition submitted before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), the CPDL stated that the current infrastructure of distribution transformer in the city is facing significant challenges due to outdated, overloaded systems, leading to frequent service interruptions and inadequate power supply to meet growing demand.

To address these critical issues, the installation of new 400 KVA transformers is proposed across various locations. This intervention will ease down existing overloaded networks, improve reliability and enhance the capacity to support future load growth.

The petitioner stated that the existing transformers are experiencing overloading, resulting in forced load shedding during peak summer months, which compromises the reliability of the power supply. To mitigate this issue, it was crucial to install new power transformers having capacity of 20 MVA.

The CPDL stated that it has proposed to invest Rs 956 crore to bring in best-in-class initiatives undertaken by various leading national and international distribution utilities over a period of five years. The firm has planned to invest Rs 212 crore in network improvement and optimisation such as installation of 66kV grid-sub-station, new switchgear, interconnector, 11kV new feeder, compact sub-station, etc.

Similarly, the firm proposes to spend Rs 273 crore on operational reliability and loss reduction, Rs 13 crore on safety, Rs 203 crore on overhauling of metering and infrastructure, Rs 132 crore on adoption of technology such as digital documentation and transition to paperless office for sustainability, intervention using cutting-edge technologies, data information and cyber security, IT data centre and disaster recovery centre establishment, etc, and Rs 123 crore on developing future-ready infrastructure like skill development centre, etc.

The firm submitted that the current power infrastructure faces several challenges, including limited redundancy and potential supply failures at various substations. To address these issues, a series of new 66 kV underground feeders worth Rs 79 crore has been proposed, primarily from the Hallomajra grid sub-station to multiple sectors and substations. These feeders aim to provide alternative supply paths, and ensure reliability and contingency, crucial for uninterrupted power supply and minimising downtime.

By establishing additional sources, such as connecting the IT Park to Hallo Majra via Sector 26 and ensuring redundancy for Sectors 1, 34 and 39, the new feeders will optimise existing capacity, support load growth, improve network stability and ensure uninterrupted power supply in the face of outages or infrastructure changes.