Generator ban: Grid power lights up Feroz Shah Kotla during

For the first time, the floodlights of the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground were energised completely from grid power during the India-New Zealand Twenty20 International yesterday, power discom BSES Yamuna Power Limited said.

No genset was used for the match in view of a recent order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banning diesel- powered generators because of air pollution.

Earlier, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) had an electricity connection of 1,800 KW at the Kotla stadium, while the rest of the requirement was met through generators.

The power distribution company BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) was approached by the organisers for an additional load of around 3,500 KW on October 28, and again for an extra load of 500 KW the next day, said a spokesperson of BYPL.
 

A total electricity load of 5,800 KW, required at the stadium, was arranged in just three days, he said.

"It was a mammoth exercise to augment the network to provide 5,800 KW of power supply for the cricket match in just three days' time and to ensure that the match goes without a glitch."

Apart from network augmentation, BYPL used various state-of-the-art technologies such as partial discharge testing, 10 delta testing, thermal scanning and DC logic test to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

An expert agency was also engaged for constant monitoring of the network equipment.

With no cushion of any back-up genset, BYPL had the sole responsibility to ensure uninterrupted power supply at the right voltage and with no fluctuation, as the stable power was also needed for sensitive audio-visual broadcasting machinery, said the spokesperson.

Working closely with the DDCA and Delhi Transco Ltd, BYPL lived up to the challenge and ensured uninterrupted and reliable power supply during the match, said BYPL CEO P R Kumar.

"The BYPL team worked round-the-clock to gear up its system and route power from multiple sources to overcome the sudden exigency and supply up to 6.5 MW - an increase of over 260 per cent -- for the match," he added.

India won the match, which was also veteran seamer Ashish Nehra's last in competitive cricket, by 53 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.