Grid Collapse: Rs 50 Crore Business Lost

The business loss as a result of the collapse of the western grid is estimated at Rs 500 crore in Maharashtra alone, according to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).

According to Ficci, the daily production of Maharashtra is about Rs 1,400 crore. There has also been business loss in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Goa. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) also estimated the loss to be substantial.

In addition to grappling from the security issues, when such major power failures take place, the workers have to be recognised and production mines have to be reopened, which is a constraint on the industry. Therefore, it is critical that preventive steps must be taken in advance.

Ficci said it was notable that despite some changes in the transmission area, the regional grid operation was not streamlined and voltage and frequency excursions took place due to non-compliance to grid codes by the states. The regional grid management is a complex problem in India due to multiple ownership of power industry, loosely controlled through regional load despatch centres (RLDCs) and regional electricity boards.

Ficci suggests strict adherence to grid codes, both at the national and state levels. It also suggests assigning responsibilities with accountability to the central transmission utility, state transmission utility (STU), RLDC, REB and central electricity authority (CEA), to avoid confusion and delay in taking corrective and preventive action in grid management.

Furthermore, Ficci believes that such coordination could be achieved by developing appropriate IT solutions in close coordination with hardware suppliers and technical institutes.