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The scheme, aiming to provide stable and uninterrupted power to the consumers in Bhubaneswar, involves massive overhaul of power transmission and distribution infrastructure.
“The SCRIPS scheme is still at a conceptual stage. The details haven’t been worked out yet. Under the scheme, the power transmission and distribution infrastructure has to be revamped. Once we get the government approval, we will go ahead with the scheme,” said a senior government official.
“Since the proposed scheme involves significant investment, we are planning to avail long-term loan from external donor agencies like Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Under SCRIPS, we will go for smart grid technology. The SCRIPS scheme will also replace the existing radial connectivity in electrical network with ring connectivity to ensure uninterrupted power flow,” he added.
A smart grid is a modernised electrical grid that uses analogue or digital information and communication technology to gather and act on information to improve the efficiency, reliability, economics, and sustainability of the production and distribution of electricity. The SCRIPS scheme also has provisions to go for underground cabling in select areas of the city.
In parallel, the state government has planned a disaster resilient power strengthening system in Ganjam, the district worst hit by Phailin cyclonic storm. The ambitious project, to be implemented with assistance from the ADB, is estimated to cost Rs 750 crore.
The detailed project report (DPR) is being prepared by Bangalore-based Power Research and Development Consultants Pvt Ltd (PRDC).
Phailin that hit the state’s southern coast near Gopalpur on October 12 last year, caused extensive damage to the power infrastructure with almost the whole of Ganjam district plunging into darkness. While people in the district had to go without electricity for weeks, it took over two months to achieve full restoration of the power infrastructure.
Around Rs 300 crore has been spent to repair and rebuild the power infrastructure in Ganjam alone where 80 per cent of 33/11 KV lines were damaged due to the cyclone.
Phailin had battered nearly 1,600 km of 11 KV lines in Ganjam district while 241 km of 33 KV lines were badly damaged. The rebuilding exercise included replacement of 300 distribution sub-stations and 54 extra high tension towers. Besides, 13,000 km of low tension lines had to be repaired.
