PANAJI
TAMNAR has been touted as an important project for the power infrastructure in the State. However, it has faced some issues in the execution due to the protests by some NGOs. While, protests are a legitimate way of highlighting opposition, there is a need to also consider the growing needs and infrastructure required to meet them.
There are six lines, two of 400 KV and four of 220 KV. The grid authority has to decide whether the line is capable of transmitting power. There are problems in inter-state line. Currently, 700 MV power comes to Goa. If one line from the six trips, the other five lines should be capable to take that load and if there is some fault, then the speed is low or high. If one generator trips, and there is some fault, that line cannot be started for at least two hours.
There is ample power available in India. Only thing is, to bring it to Goa from other State, a suitable transmission line is needed. It has to be constructed. These are inter-state lines. It does not come under the State government. It comes through grid. The entire India is connected through grid.
One has to work in association with different authorities that are under Central government control. We operate as one nation, one frequency and one grid. When power has to be brought from other State, we need interstate line. The infrastructure has to be constructed, and once it is done, we will not face any problem for the next 15-20 years.
Speaking on the near-future plans, an official disclosed about work orders. The 6,000 consumers in Verna give 60% of the revenue to the Electricity Department. The work order for Verna Industrial Estate is already issued and a new transformer of 50 MVA will be set up and commissioned here to resolve the power issues. The project is expected to complete in another 13-14 months. Another 220 KV level sub-station will also be coming to Verna which will attract more industries into the estate.
A work order is given at Thivim. There are applications from the area. There is also demand from Mopa, though it is a small area. Within five months the department will commission a 63 MVA power transformer here to ease the North Goa power issue, especially the one that people here face in April and May. And in Ponda too, a 63 MVA transformer will be completed in the next 18 months. These three transformers will solve the short-term problems. The long-term problems will be solved with the completion of Saligao substation. A 3x63 MVA at 220 KV level will solve the problem in North Goa, which is the need of the hour.
Admitting that the department puts off the industry power during the power shortage and tries to retain uninterrupted power supply to the public because it is government’s decision. The government feels that the general public should get domestic supply because they are not equipped with diesel gen-sets like the industries are. The industry pays higher price for electricity and it is loss for the department to take such a decision, but the Goa government has decided that the common man should not suffer power shortage.
“It is not possible to construct infrastructure in one or two years. If we, as a State, wish to be self-sufficient in power, and get ready for 2030 or 2050, we have to start working now,” Stephen Fernandes, the chief electrical engineer of the Electricity Department, predicts.
