POSOCO, PowerGrid, NTPC lead emergency prep work ahead of AMPHAN

• The NLDC and ERLDC of POSOCO have been nominated as the main control centres

• Super cyclonic storm AMPHAN is expected make landfall on May 20 afternoon and is likely to affect West Bengal and Odisha

New Delhi: State-run POSOCO, PowerGrid and NTPC Limited have put up a mechanism in place to handle power supply situation in the wake of super cyclonic storm AMPHAN, the Ministry of Power said on Tuesday. While the NLDC (National Load Dispatch Centre) and ERLDC (Eastern Regional Load Dispatch Centre) of POSOCO have been nominated as the main control centres, PowerGrid and NTPC Limited have set up 24×7 control rooms. Super cyclonic storm AMPHAN is expected to make landfall on May 20 afternoon and is likely to affect West Bengal and Odisha. 

"Union Ministry of Power, Govt of India, has stated that it has put in place adequate arrangements/preparedness to handle power supply situation in the wake of forecast that Super Cyclonic Storm AMPHAN is expected to make landfall tomorrow, 20.5.2020, afternoon and is likely to affect West Bengal and Odisha. Ministry of Power, Govt of India has been monitoring the situation and coordinating with all stakeholders, ie state governments and their power utilities, generators and tansmission companies, grid operators and the manufacturers for supply of materials etc," an official statement said.

PowerGrid, NTPC, POSOCO prepare to help state utilities in the aftermath

"The nodal officers at senior levels from the departments of Energy/Power in Odisha and West Bengal have been nominated to respond to any emergency situations. Our public sector companies, ie NTPC, PGCIL and POSOCO have made all necessary preparations to deal with the situation and help the state power utilities in efficient restoration of the damages, if any, due to the cyclone," the statement said. PowerGrid and NTPC Limited have set up 24×7 control rooms at Bhuvneshwar and Kolkata. Additionally, PowerGrid has also set up a 24×7 control room at PGCIL headquarters in Manesar.

POSOCO tracking cyclone AMPHAN path

National Grid Operator POSOCO is keeping a close watch over the situation and is tracking the cyclone path. "Preliminary Advisory was issued on May 17 by NLDC to all RLDCs. Advisories have also been issued on May 18 by NLDC to RLDCs and all related Transmission Licensees and by ERLDC to State Load Dispatch Centres of West Bengal and Odisha," the statement said.

Prep work: Emergency restoration systems placed at key locations

Emergency Restoration Systems (ERS) (32 at 400 kV and 24 at 765 kV), along with adequate manpower, have been placed at key locations and will be used in case any transmission tower collapses and transmission lines are disrupted. Transportation has also been tied up for placement of ERS at the damaged site, as may be required. Necessary spare parts of transmission equipment, DG sets, transformer oil, emergency lights and other required material have also been mobilised.

Manpower, along with vehicles for restoration activities, have been arranged and teams of skilled workers are being mobilised. Manufacturers of various items like poles, transformers cables, etc, have also been alerted for providing the material on urgent basis as per requirement.