Despite huge investments in the power sector in the past two years, Goa’s common man was let down by massive outages and infrastructure failures in 2024-25. The government’s claim of spending over Rs 5,000 crore in the past two years to improve the power supply seems hollow when compared to the grim reality shown in complaint data and the State’s long-standing power issues. This disconnect raises important questions about how effective these financial efforts have been and the actual state of Goa’s power infrastructure.
Firstly, the quantum of complaints, i.e. an average of 778 per day in 2024-25 paints a sorry picture. Over 2.84 lakh complaints about power failures, along with another 50,000 related to billing errors and faulty meters, reveal deep-rooted problems that successive upgrades have failed to fix.
On the contrary, data showed that power failures have increased during peak seasons. The first quarter alone saw over 79,000 complaints, and there were 91,949 during the monsoon months when weather-related damage worsens existing weaknesses.
The main causes of outages—fuse blowouts (67%), snapped service lines, faults in distribution lines, and failures in underground cables—are basic problems rooted in old, fragile infrastructure. The fact that 77% of outages come from simple fuse blowouts or snapped service lines highlights a weak distribution network that cannot handle routine stresses.
Distribution failures, transformer breakdowns, and grid faults further point to ageing infrastructure that has not been sufficiently modernized, despite the large spending. Moreover, the planned shutdowns -- 5,678 in a year -- serve as a clear reminder that these outages, often seen as necessary for maintenance, still cause inconvenience. This raises the question: Are these scheduled outages a sign of proactive upgrades to infrastructure, or do they show that the system is old and overburdened?
Data suggests that our infrastructure is unable to stand against the challenges of electricity supply. The government’s plan for a Rs 6,650 crore upgrade over the next five years, including updating transformers and substations, seems ambitious. However, could there be light at the end of the tunnel, and how much investment would be needed to bring respite to citizens who have been grappling with inconsistent supply?
Goa’s power demand—currently around 540 MW, peaking at 750 MW—greatly exceeds the capacity of its ageing infrastructure, making the system inherently weak. The gap between demand and supply, along with unreliable infrastructure, leads to a cycle of outages and consumer dissatisfaction. If investments are not resulting in real improvements, where are we heading?
This situation also raises broader questions about governance and responsibility. Why has the power sector, despite large investments, not been able to provide reliable electricity? Is there a gap between budget allocations and actual implementation? Are maintenance and modernization efforts being held back by bureaucratic delays, corruption, or a lack of technical expertise? These are urgent questions that require immediate attention.
Goa’s situation shows that large investments, while necessary, are not enough on their own. We hear about smart meters, but nobody speaks of uninterrupted quality power. Without strategic planning, effective implementation, and a clear focus on strategically upgrading old infrastructure, the power sector will keep disappointing its consumers. The government must face these challenges and prioritize not just spending but also accountability and modernization to make the promise of reliable power a reality for all Goans.
