JOIN USWhen questions are being raised about whether constraint of space is linked to the power problem in the City, power experts from Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) definitely has an answer: But one of their unique projects to establish a GIS to provide quality power to prime areas in and around M G Road took a ‘decent’ five years.
The growing City and the demand for power was a cause of worry to the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) since space was a problem.
“We have been on the lookout for space to augment and establish our new stations. But considering the soaring real estate price, we realised that it is impossible for us to get the required space to set up the station in highly populated regions. We decided to go for GIS, which can be built on at least 30 percent lesser space than a conventional station,” said an official from KPTCL.
Five-year delay
The new station constructed on 10,000 sq feet area at a cost of Rs 200 crore was delayed for more than five years (the project was planned in 2005) as the station was supposed to be constructed on a KPTCL office.
“We need to demolish the building and set up the under ground station. Besides, since the the technology is new, we need to test it and carry on trials,” explained the official.
The new station, which caters to M G Road, Residency Road, Double Road, Ulsoor, Austin Town, Shivajinagar and all the areas surround these places, is aimed at providing uninterrupted quality power round the clock and bringing down the transmission and distribution loss.
Restoration
“It will be linked with a 220 KV stations at Anand Rao Circle, NIMHANS and HAL. Even if there is a failure at one place, power can be restored immediately from other lines,” explained the official.
The unique GIS station which will go operational by end of this month will be completely underground and is insulated using gas instead of cables.
The highly sophisticated station is more compact and safe compared to the conventional transformer which requires at least 62,500 sq feet of space to set up and all the equipment will be above the ground.