SALIGAOShutting off power supply to the entire substation during this 6 hour operation is necessary to ensure safety to undertake this annual maintenance service.
A power shutdown for six hours during peak summer is enough to send emotional temperatures soaring, but about 30,000 consumers and their families in six panchayat areas on Porvorim plateau and surrounding areas have no option but to bear up with another major shutdown on Saturday.
This time though, the shutdown is not primarily aimed at pre-monsoon works in different areas, but the 33/11KV Porvorim substation will be subjected to an annual service from 9 am to 3 pm.
The impact of shutting down power to the Porvorim substation is quite significant as it will effectively stop power supply for six hours to panchayat areas of Socorro, Salvador do Mundo, Penha-da-Franca, Pilerne, Sangolda and Pilerne Industrial Estate in Porvorim.
Besides, the shutdown will also affect Mollem Bhat, Tabrawado, Dhonwado in Saligao, as well as Volant, Mona nagar, Shantadurga temple, Patel nagar, Ramnagar, Gurudwara, Betim, RND workshop and Betim in Reis Magos and the Assembly Complex and surrounding areas.
Residents aware of the shutdown are already planning to move out of their homes to beat the heat, with many even planning a day out at commercial and entertainment complexes in the area.
“During power outages in and around Porvorim, it is not surprising to find an unusually large flow of visitors at the Mall de Goa. Many of them are residents who simply want to beat the heat and enjoy the cooler temperatures of air-conditioners operated by alternative power supply systems inside the mall,” a store manager at the Mall told The Goan.
According to a source at the Porvorim substation, there are about 25,000-30,000 power consumers in Porvorim plateau and 70% of them are domestic users.
Justifying the need for a complete shutdown at the substation, the source said this service once a year is necessary to the keep electrical equipment in shape.
“Like any other machine, all electrical equipment at the substation needs regular and major maintenance,” explained the source on condition of anonymity.
“While regular maintenance includes servicing of circuit breakers as well as checking and tightening of cable terminals, the major maintenance involves a number of operations at the substation,” said the source.
Asked why this annual maintenance was necessary during the peak summer especially when power outages during pre-monsoon checks and other shutdowns lead to soaring tempers among consumers, the source replied: “In fact, this is the best time of the year for this once-in-year service operations.”
“Conductors expand during summer due to heating and maximum loading effect, hence the jumpers tend to loosen. So, the actual deterioration of jumpers and contact points can be monitored and attended during this period.”
“Also, there is a maximum load during summer and we can test and service equipment/operations during this peak load. During this time of the year, all schools and educational institutes are closed and hence, the effect of shutdown probably will be less as the people move out for vacation,” the source added.
