PANAJI
A significant number of electricity feeders, especially those located along the coastal belts, are operating at a high utilization level or are overloaded, leading to frequent power outages and breakdowns in distribution networks.
A recent study reveals that the average load level of feeders, located in the beach areas, are exceeding 100 per cent, while in some cases it is between 80-90 per cent.
According to a study “Capacity Enhancement Planning of Renewable Energy in the State of Goa” done by the Gurgaon-Haryana based Environmental Consultant -- The Celestial Earth -- the existing distribution network, particularly 33 kv and 11 kv lines, are operating at over 60 per cent capacity, highlighting the need for urgent grid reinforcement and expansion to accommodate increased renewable energy penetration.
The feeders located in the coastal villages of Agonda, Palolem, Calangute, Baga, Arpora, Candolim, Betalbatim are operating beyond 100 per cent capacity, while in Colva, Varca, MES KRC, Navelim, Assembly Complex-Porvorim, Pundalik Nagar, are in the range of average 60-90 per cent.
“Such loading conditions can lead to thermal stress, voltage drops, and reduced equipment life, making them critical areas of concern from both reliability and safety perspectives,” reveals the study, submitted to the State government in May.
Using advanced spatial analysis through GIS and robust power system modeling via PyPSA, the project provided critical insights into the operational dynamics and bottlenecks of the State’s 11 kv and 33 kv networks.
The consultant also observed that in many cases, despite the high line loading, the transformers show comparatively moderate utilization, with average loading between 45 per cent and 55 per cent while in some cases reaching 70 per cent.
“This disparity suggests that while the overall power transformation capacity is not yet under strain, certain downstream feeders face localized congestion, possibly due to uneven load distribution or rapidly growing demand in specific areas,” it said.
“Given these conditions, immediate attention to network reinforcement or load rebalancing strategies may be required,” it added further.
The study recommends expanding the capacity at stressed feeders (e.g., Agonda, Baga, Calangute) through grid upgrades and smart transformers and also deploying Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and remote monitoring tools to support green energy integration.
According to the experts, the low-to-moderate network stress -- ranging between 35 per cent to 40 per cent -- was observed in the areas like Porvorim, Carmona, presents favorable conditions for integrating distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar systems.
“With sufficient headroom on feeders and transformers, Porvorim can absorb additional generation without requiring immediate infrastructure upgrades, making it a promising site for clean energy expansion and demand-side interventions,” it said.
