Smart grid project to be game-changer

There is no electricity shortage in Gurugram city and cuts happen mainly due to power theft and technical snags. The situation will improve with the implementation of the smart grid project, says Sanjiv Chopra, Chief Engineer, DBHVN. Excerpts from an interview with Sumedha Sharma.

Despite the promise of 24-hour electricity supply, why the city continues to reel under power cuts?

The DHBVN has not scheduled power cuts as there is no shortage of electricity from the power plants. The power cuts are mainly because of three reasons — damage to electricity cables and poles due to strong winds that cause short circuits mostly from May to August; technical reasons and the failure of private developers to augment power infrastructure in their colonies. The demand of power varies every year and even on a day-to-day basis and we have been able to fulfil it.

What about power shortage in unlicensed colonies?

To deal with the issue, 40 per cent of the residents need to disclose their actual load to augment their electricity supply. For example, people got one KW load sanctioned 10 years ago for one or two families but now there are five families living in the same building, using air-conditioners and other appliances without getting their sanctioned load changed. That is what causes power cuts.

Power theft is a major challenge but why it has not been tackled so far?

The DHBVN is not yet equipped to stop power thefts completely. There are three kinds of theft: People living in slums and unauthorised colonies steal electricity through a conductor; People tamper with power meters through established gangs, and misreporting of meter reading. Dedicated vigilance teams conduct raids, FIRs are lodged and penalties are recovered. We will be able to eradicate the problem completely after the smart grid is put in place.

So, will the smart grid project be able to end the decades-old problem?

The system has proved to be a major success in most advanced cities of the world for better and uninterrupted electricity supply. Gurugram is the first city in India where the smart grid is being installed. We are facing many challenges in the present manual system, which deters uninterrupted electricity supply. The smart grid is the answer to all this. All overhead electric wires, poles and transformers, which occupy pavements, roads and public spaces, will be shifted underground and maintenance will be through software. It will definitely improve the system.

What about private areas that are still at the mercy of private builders?

The DHBVN along with various other authorities is taking measures to deal with private builders for not augmenting their electricity infrastructure. As per the layout plan of the many licensed colonies, the developers had to set up 33/66 kv substations but they did not. It adversely impacts residents, who do not get electricity and blame us. We have moved court and the state government too is taking the issue seriously.