MUMBAI: The failure of transmission grids leading to power outage in Mumbai once again highlights the need to strengthen the transmission system. Power experts said demand across MMR will be over 5,000 MW and that too should not be ignored, considering the huge populations of Thane and Navi Mumbai. Mumbai's demand is likely to rise to 3,500 MW and any outage is “uncalled for”.
Power expert Ashok Pendse said, “There is an urgent need to have more sources of power supply for Mumbai through new transmission lines.” He said there was a need to have better coordination between various government agencies and power utility firms to ensure there is no recurrence of similar power outages in Mumbai. Our reputation is at stake. “And what about three committees formed after the last big power outage of October 2020. Haven't we learnt our lessons?” Pendse said.
Another senior expert from a power utility firm said there was need for proper planning when it came to transmission grids. “In Sunday's incident, since two circuits/lines of MSETCL were under maintenance and only two were operational, once the third line tripped, the maintenance (or planned outage) of the first or second line should have been cancelled. This could have ensured a backup during the tripping of the fourth line and the outage could have been prevented,” he said.
An expert had in 2020 visited Tata Power thermal plants in Trombay and the Adani Electricity office to evaluate existing power generation and future demand. He had then pointed out the need to augment power generation by at least 2,000 MW and strengthen the transmission infrastructure in the city.
