Write the causes and consequences for power cut in Assam.
Answers
Answer:
Guwahati, Assam State - Improved power supply inspired Ramen Chandra Das, 35, a silk maker in Sualkuchi Village, to purchase two power looms in 2013.
"Power supply has increased to 8-9 hours a day from 1-2 hours a day in 2000, and my profits have grown to Rs20,000-Rs30,000 ($368-$553) per month," he says.
For generations, the men and women of almost every household in Sualkuchi, a small village perched on the bank of the Brahmaputra River, 35 kilometers (km) west of Guwahati, in Assam, northeastern India, have woven silk saris and shawls by hand. A regular electricity supply has meant weavers can use power looms to supplement the work they do with handlooms, making more, and easier work, for the villagers.
"A power loom will enable my family to continue our traditional business more profitably," says Ramen, noting that India's silk products now increasingly have to compete with imported silk and other products from the People's Republic of China and other parts of India such as Benares and Bangalore.
Keeping up with demand
In Assam, demand for electricity has grown far faster than supply. In 2004, before the project started, the Assam State Electricity Board produced only 120 megawatts (MW) against a peak demand of 614 MW, while transmission and distribution losses were estimated at 38.9%.
Resulting power shortages, low voltage power, and load shedding undermined Assam's industrial competitiveness and agricultural potential.
Without action, the problem was poised to worsen. By 2021-2022, peak demand for electricity is estimated to reach 3,985 MW.
The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission was set up in May 2001 to ensure adequate and reliable energy supplies. Meanwhile, to meet future demand, ADB approved the Assam Power Sector Development Program in 2003 with a loan of $250 million, to help the Government of Assam improve quality, quantity, and access to power supply.
According to Rathindra Lal Barua, chief general manager of project planning and design at the Assam Power Distribution Company, supply has increased to 300 MW from 100 MW in Guwahati.
"All households get power supply at 11 kV; and there are no system constraints," he says. "The improved load in the city has resulted in hospitals and malls springing up."
Improved electricity supply is also attracting new industries to the Boko industrial area (about 50 km from Guwahati), as well as to Tezpur City and the Balipara Division (about 200 km from Guwahati). Boko, for example, is supplied by a 220 kV substation, which was also built with ADB assistance.
"Power supply has increased to 8-9 hours a day from 1-2 hours a day in 2000, and my profits have grown to Rs20,000-Rs30,000 per month."
- Ramen Chandra Das, silk products business owner
"Total power supply in Assam has been increased to 5,000 MU (million units, or 5 gigawatt hours [gWh]), and is expected to increase to 7,500 MU (or 7.5 gWh) next year," says Rathindra. "This achievement, together with the effort to implement 100% metering and reduce power theft, is reflected in improved revenues."
According to Rathindra, power theft was previously such a big problem that 12 special police stations had to be established to deal with it.
Substations at work
The 132KV Narangi Grid Substation, commissioned in 2009 with ADB assistance, is meeting the demand for power in Guwahati City. It currently feeds four smaller 33 kV substations, which then distribute the power throughout the city. Narangi also feeds the Guwahati Refinery, which processes crude oil from the oil fields in Upper Assam to help meet the energy needs of the region.
Before the construction of the Narangi substation, the four distributor substations were fed by the 132KV Chandrapur substation, which is 27 km farther away. Bringing the supply source closer to the 33 KV distribution substations has improved energy quality and reduced losses.
Managed by an all-woman team, the Narangi Substation serves eastern Guwahati's households, schools, hospitals, and industry.
Resident engineer Jayashree Devi, 39, has been in charge of overall maintenance, staff management, and administration at the Narangi Substation for the past 3 years. According to Devi, demand for power in Guwahati City is already such that Narangi's supply needs to be supplemented by the substation at Chandrapur.
"Total power supply in Assam has been increased to 5,000 MU (million units, or 5 gigawatt hours [gWh]), and is expected to increase to 7,500 MU (or 7.5 gWh) next year."
Assam faced a devastating cyclone in the month of april in this year which caused a lot of destruction.
The electricity distribution system of Assam was also disrupted by this cyclone.
That's why Assam is continuously facing major power cuts nowadays.
Due to this power cuts the corporate and incorporate lifestyle of Assam's population,has been disrupted.