GUWAHATI, May 8 � Power distribution network in the State collapsed today following tripping of the 220 KV Siliguri-Bongaigaon grid/circuit of the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). The 220 KV grid tripped because of the overloading it was subjected to owing to the non-restoration of the two 400 KV towers of the PGCIL at Binaguri in West Bengal.
Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) sources said that the tripping of the grid/circuit resulted in the total collapse of the NE region grid of the PGCIL.
Though around 12-30 pm many of the machines were back to the grid and the total collapse could be overcome by around 1pm, the crisis lasted till the evening hours today. However, the normal load shedding continued in the evening hours and the shortfall in power supply was found to be 430 MW during the peak load hours today, sources said.
Sources also maintained that the normal load shedding was due to the reduced generation in the power stations of the region. For example, the Kathalguri Power Station of the NEEPCO could supply 150 MW of power today against the 200 MW it used to supply, sources said.
But, the redeeming feature was that the 120 MW of power from the Eastern Grid of the NTPC could be drawn through the Siliguri-Bongaigaon grid/circuit, sources said.
