The three weeks nationwide lockdown has resulted in low electricity demand, but a sudden change in grid frequency could lead to a power blackout, according to government officials.
Grid frequency is a critical aspect of power system operations, with global standards requiring that grid frequency be kept close to 50 hertz (Hz). Any sudden change in demand pattern impacts the grid frequency. India’s electricity demand was around 100 gigawatts (GW) as compared to the peak electricity demand of about 127.96 GW on 25 March. The demand was about 163.73GW on 20 March. India’s peak demand in FY19 was 168.74GW and touched a record high of 176.72GW in April last year.
‘We have been able to manage the grid despite a sudden drop of electricity demand because of the lock-down,’ said a government official requesting anonymity.
It is the job of state-run Power System Operation Corp. Ltd (Posoco) that oversees India’s electricity load management functions to maintain grid stability. If unchecked, the result could be a collapse of the power grid. This collapse is the worst case for any transmission utility. In July 2012, India faced massive power transmission failures, which left around 700 million people without electricity. The issue has assumed greater importance as the country now has an integrated national power grid, with south India joining the national electricity grid in January 2014.
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