Power dept to install GIS in Panjim, Verna and Tivim industrial estates

TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: In a bid to reduce power breakdowns due to short-circuits and transformers catching fire, the Electricity Department has decided to install a hi-tech gas insulated sub-stations (GIS) in Panjim city and Verna and Tivim industrial estates that will help in improving the reliability of power supply to the capital city.   
The 33KV facility would also be installed at the Verna and Tivim industrial estates thereby improving the power dependability of the industrial estates. In cases of Panjim and Tivim, the facility is expected to be commissioned by end of financial year 2014-15, while in case of Verna the deadline is FY 2015-16 end.
Highly placed sources confirmed that Government would be shortly floating tender for all three sub-stations. A new building for setting up of GIS would be built at Patto Plaza and the Goa Industrial Development Corporation allotted land at Verna and Tivim.
“It’s a latest kind of sub-station which will insulate different parts of the transformer from being heated which results in power failures,” a source said. The heating-up of the station systems because of high current is negligible in these parts of the State. 
Government has taken up upgradation works of more than Rs 350 crore for the current financial year to fix majority of the issues faced by the department over the year.
The coastal belt abuzz with tourism which was facing a major load shading during peak hours has been now spared from the trouble after laying of two new 33 KV underground feeders. The beach belts of Candolim, Calangute, Sinquerim and Arpora were getting affected with the power disruption.
This year, government has also initiated land acquisition for augmentation and expansion of 220KV sub-station that would be used for providing additional 33KV power supply to the Bardez and Pernem Taluka. The proposal is expected to be completed by end of the year. It is also working on proposals to provide additional power supply to Panjim, Mapusa and Porvorim.