PANAJI
While the electricity department religiously switches-off power at the time it declares, there seems to be no guarantee that power will be switched-on at the time specified by the department through public notices. There is always delay of some hours to restore the power supply. With power cuts as the stark reality of life in Goa, the consumers wonder what the coming summer and monsoon seasons would bring. The changing weather and fluctuating temperatures have made life unpredictable and one never knows if the climate would be cool or humid.
Was the power scenario in the State better before the pandemic struck? Not necessarily, claims an hotelier from the South Goa. There were daily power cuts during the summer months as there is surge in consumption coupled with shortage of power, he points out.
“To deal with blackouts, we had to cut down our number of guests and take only single tourists or couples. We were afraid that large groups would consume more electricity, and also water, both of which was, in short supply in 2019. We sold our AC rooms at non-AC price, though such heavy discounts are unaffordable for small and medium hotels. Every summer the same problems are repeated,” he complained.
Most hotels switch off the generators and disconnect them at least a dozen times in a day, and the fluctuation in temperature impacts the frozen food stocks like fish, meat and also ice-creams. The kitchen appliances like mixer-grinder-juicer, microwave and fridge stop working. The air-conditioners, television sets, iron and geyser too cannot be utilised during the power cuts.
After the pandemic, many new establishments have surged. The electricity department, being generous, gives new connections to all, sometimes beyond its capacity to supply power to them. Some of the consumers are seen using domestic connections for commercial purposes. The department needs to keep a check on load and power consumption, instead of hiking the rates, suggests an ice-cream parlour owner.
A hotelier from North Goa admitted investing a huge amount in installing solar power equipment in one of his hotels, only to get some relief from the constant power outages during the peak summer season and to save himself from using gen-sets.
“The diesel for the gen-sets costs three times more than the power tariff to electricity department. Solar energy saves billing but does not solve continuity of electricity as there is no backup like inverters. I spent Rs 40 lakh to install solar panels in one of my hotels, which has reduced my power bills considerably. Earlier I used to pay Rs 60,000 per month, which has been reduced to 15 % now. But the initial investment is huge, and takes time to recover. There is a hybrid mode, which should be utilised, but the investment is huge,” he explained.
The State has around1,000 hotels in Goa, around 65% in the North and 35% in the South. The South Goa faces high tension transmission problem as there are more big consumers of 33KV and 11 KV. Compared to the North there are more five star hotels in the South. Big hotels draw more power per room (eg 8 KV) whereas small hotels need 1.5 KV per room. The air-conditioners withdraw more power in summer, and less in winter. Also more during the day and less during the nights, as it’s cool at that time.
The power problem has aggravated since the past five years. Earlier, no body focussed much on the issues or their solutions. Gradually, as there were more establishments, especially during the past four years, the power shortage began to be felt.
