‘Handover 33 kV systems to STUs’
Hyderabad: The Ministry of Power (MoP) has asked all the State governments and Union Territories (UTs) to hand over 33 kV systems from Discoms to the State Transmission Utility (STU) for better planning, loss reduction and increased supply reliability. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all State governments and UTs along with […]
Hyderabad: The Ministry of Power (MoP) has asked all the State governments and Union Territories (UTs) to hand over 33 kV systems from Discoms to the State Transmission Utility (STU) for better planning, loss reduction and increased supply reliability.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all State governments and UTs along with the Principal Secretaries and Secretaries (Power), MoP Joint Secretary (Transmission) Mritunjay Kumar Narayan said the process can be carried out in a phased manner.
In the first phase, incremental assets in the 33 kV network and the existing overloaded assets can be handed over to STUs. The State government concerned would need to provide financial assistance to STU for upgrading the 33 kV assets. In case the State government concerned was not in a position to provide financial assistance to STU for up-gradation, then the STU can be asked to form a joint venture (JV) with Power Grid on a 50:50 equity basis for mobilising financial resources, Narayan said.
He said the Power Grid has already been advised by the MoP to form JV with STU wherever State approaches it. According to Narayan, the sub-transmission system is beset with problems of higher losses and inefficient performance.
Considering the importance of the sub-transmission system, the MoP had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Power Grid CMD to suggest measures for reduction of losses in the sub-transmission system and for ensuring reliability and efficient performance apart from making recommendations for promoting investment in sub-transmission system.
The committee collected information from 25 STUs and 30 distribution companies (Discoms) on the performance of utilities at different voltage levels — 33 kV, 66 kV, 132/110 kV and 220 kV. The committee observed that losses at 33 kV is about 4.8 per cent, while the loss in 66 kV-220 kV level was only 1.72-2.39 per cent.
Considering all observations, the committee recommended bringing 33 kV systems under STU for improving performance. After discussions, the Ministry has asked the States governments and UTs to take steps for overall sustainable improvement in the performance of 33 kV systems.
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