JBVNL commissions two 33kV circuits to meet growing power demand

Ranchi: To meet the rising power demand, the Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) has commissioned two new 33 kV circuits, ensuring a direct power supply to the airport area from the Namkum grid via separate bays. JBVNL’s Ranchi Supply Area general manager Manmohan Kumar said that power consumption in the city has increased over 21% compared to summer last year.

Previously, the airport area relied on an overhead and two underground circuits (main and standby) routed via Kusai. A fault at any single point would disrupt power supply across a vast area during repair works. The new direct lines from the grid are expected to significantly improve the power supply and quality across major parts of the city, including Doranda, Hardag, Hinoo, Kusai and Mecon colony.

The earlier setup featured only a single overhead aluminium conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) circuit passing over the railway crossing near Namkum for the Kusai and airport lines. Following approval from the railways, JBVNL has laid an additional underground circuit from the railway crossing to the airport.

“As a result, there are now two separate lines supplying to the airport area via Kusai PSS (power system stabiliser) through a loop in loop out (LILO) system. If a fault occurs in one line, the other will remain functional, and the load will be divided. The load drawal capacity has doubled in the 33 kV circuit,” said Kumar.

In a similar infrastructure upgrade, the local substation serving the old assembly area has been linked to the Smart City substation, in addition to its existing connection to the Hatia grid. This move aims to enhance the electricity supply around Sail City, Mecon colony and the DPS area. It will benefit the Mecon area most as it will get power from three grids, Hatia, Smart City and Namkum.

Addressing the surging power demand, Kumar said, “Power consumption has jumped from 360 MVA last summer to 436 MVA this year. We are subsequently upgrading our infrastructure to meet the demand and ensure uninterrupted, quality power supply,” he said.

Kumar added, “We are also working on expansion of two other major grids at Hatia and Kanke. As a part of this, a new underground circuit from a new bay from Hatia grid to Pani Tanki PSS has been commissioned.”