Overview
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is a statutory body fully owned by the Government of Punjab with an autonomous status. Earlier, PSPCL was part of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), which divided its operations into two entities: Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) in April 2010. PSPCL is responsible for electricity generation, sub-transmission and distribution of power in the State of Punjab. PSPCL has implemented this program of activities.
This program of activities was an initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by reducing technical losses by upgrading the existing 3-phase 400 V Low Voltage Distribution System (LVDS) feeding Agricultural Pumps (APs), with an 11 kV High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) in the identified distribution divisions in the state. The conversion of LVDS to HVDS reduced line losses due to reduced current flow in the lines. The energy savings have thus contributed to reduction of GHG emissions corresponding to the equivalent amount of energy saved, as the electricity generation is primarily from the fossil fuel. The conversion involved replacing the high capacity nodal distribution transformers (200, 100, 63 kVA) with low capacity dedicated transformers (6.3, 10, 16 and 25 kVA), supplying power to single or multiple APs within 150 meters. However, it is to be noted that the energy savings was due to the conversion of distribution network from LVDS to HVDS only.
Benefits
The program has contributed to the sustainable development of the region and of the country in terms of environment, socio-economic and technological considerations. The following are the sustainable development benefits accruing from the program of activities:
- Social wellbeing: The program of activities has resulted in significant energy savings, which have helped meet the shortage of power to the public at large. There has therefore been an improvement in the availability of power to meet their power needs, which has improved their quality of life. In addition to the implementation of the program of activities, PSPCL ha sengaged (directly and indirectly) a large number of workers. These workers have been involved in a variety of tasks, including dismantling the old transformers, installing new transformers, laying the overhead lines, etc. Such economic opportunities have led to social wellbeing in the area.
- Economic wellbeing: The state of Punjab has experienced a rise in its power demand over the past years. The electricity demand exceeds electricity supplies, leading to the power deficit. The technical and commercial losses incurred in the sector make the situation even worse. The power savings in the state of Punjab have helped, to an extent, in catering to the power demand more efficiently. Thus, with the same level of supply, it has been able to provide more electricity to its consumers or be able to cater to a larger section of society for its electricity needs. Electricity, being one of the most important infrastructure needs, has provided ground for the economy to generate economic opportunities.
- Environmental wellbeing: The Program of activities has led to reduced losses in the electricity distribution. Thus, less energy from the fossil fuel fired power plants is required to supply power to the same consumers. Any reduction in the energy generation has resulted in reduced emissions leading to better environmental conditions. This way, the proposed program has helped in reducing GHG emissions due to reduced dependence on the fossil fuel-based power generation. This leads to a cleaner environment.
- Technological wellbeing: The length of low voltage line has been limited to the maximum of 150 meters including service lines, as transformers will be installed close to APs. Due to the reduced length, the voltage drop has been reduced (especially during peak time) improving the voltage profile available to the pump sets and consequently leading to reduced losses in the AP motors. Transformer failure resulting from overloading has become less frequent because of the capacity of the new transformers, which would match with the load requirements of the specific consumers.