Power Ministry clarifies on news reports of grid failures during lights out event on 5th April at 9:00 PM

By Sarkaritel April 4, 2020 17:01

Power Ministry says Indian electricity grid is robust and stable

There is no call to switch off either street lights or appliances like Computers, TVs, Fans, Refrigerators and ACs in the homes

New Delhi, April 04 The Prime Minister has appealed to the people to voluntarily switch off their lights between 9:00 p.m to 9:09 pm on the 5th of April. Ministry of Power in a statement here today has said that “some apprehensions have been expressed that this may cause instability in the grid and fluctuation in voltage which may harm the electrical appliances. Dispelling these apprehensions, Ministry of Power has said that they are misplaced.“

The clarification came after the power breakdown issue was raised by some. The Prime Minister’s call triggered the apprehensions of a larger grid failure due to sudden slump in the power demand and resultant high destabilising voltage surge.

The Ministry has emphasised that Indian electricity grid is robust and stable and adequate arrangements and protocols are in place to handle the variation in demand.

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

Soon after the appeal, the Power Ministry had a meeting with PowerGrid Corporation, the central transmission utility, to accomplish the event without destabilising the grid. The appeal had triggered the talk that the 9-minute blackout could cause surge in voltage and might damage domestic appliances.

It has been clarified that lights at hospitals, public utilities, municipal services, offices, police stations and manufacturing facilities will remain on. All local bodies have been advised to keep the street lights on for public safety.

“Adequate arrangements and protocol are in place to handle the power demand variation,” said a Power Ministry official.

Despite the assurance on the grid stability during the blackout, everyone is keeping their fingers crossed over the impact of shutdown. It’s estimated that demand for 23,0000 MW power may fall within minutes, and the same may come back to system in a jiffy.

On its part, all central and state utilities, including load despatch centres are ready to handle any eventuality. Most technical staff of the power departments and utilities would be on job.

Moreover, few states have also staggered the load shedding plan to prevent wild grid fluctuation.