The only option to avoid grid failures is to expand the generating capacity, according to Anil Sardana, Managing Director, Tata Power.
Tata Power is into generation, transmission and distribution.
“There needs to be enforcement of automated and coordinated relay system as also strict governance on frequency regimes to avoid grid failures similar to the one experienced over the last few days.
“However, one cannot shy away from creating spinning reserves by expanding India’s power generation capacities so that there is no demand-supply gap at any given time,” he said.
In parallel, the management of distribution companies has to be made accountable for 24x7 reliable supply and fiscal management, he felt.
ISLANDING scheme
On the recent power outages experienced across the country due to grid failures, he said Mumbai is a classic example of how this problem could be addressed technically thanks to the islanding scheme pioneered by Tata Power in 1981.
It cuts off the network from external grid failures to help the local network manage its power demand/ supply needs during such crisis. This islanding scheme has worked well for Mumbai consumers, achieving a 100 per cent success rate each of the 16 occasions that there have been such grid failures since 1995.
Even in the existing grid failures, Tata Power's Jojobera units islanded themselves with Jamshedpur load and continued operations.
REFORMS
“There cannot be a better trigger to set off reforms for the power sector to enable increased investment into generation to meet the country’s 12{+t}{+h} Plan target of 88,000 MW. The sector’s long sought-after need for reforms on fuel supply too needs to be addressed on an immediate basis. Clarity on Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) can go a long way in building a brighter future for the energy needs,” he said.
For instance, India’s first UMPP at Mundra (4000 MW), being set up by Tata Power, when fully operational, will meet about two per cent of the country’s energy needs.
The project will provide power to consumers in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
The first 800 MW-sized unit 1 has been commissioned and unit 2 has been synchronised. Units 3, 4 and 5 are on schedule.
shanker.s@thehindu.co.in