Power companies' risk of grid failure, PM's appeal to shut down lights

New Delhi, Apr 4, 2002, Saturday

Power companies have been agitated after PM Modi's appeal to shut down the house lights for nine minutes on April 5 at nine o'clock.

Power companies are now fearing grid failures. Companies fear that the power consumptions will suddenly diminish when the lights are shut down all over the country. Due to which India will be increased on the grid.

In this regard, states are now announcing advisory to their power companies. Government of UP, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have issued guide lines to their electricity departments.

Knowledgeable that, in order to keep the power grid stable, electricity needs to be consumed at a fixed frequency. These frequencies should be up to 49.95 and 50.05 Hz. If the power consumption is suddenly increased or stopped, this frequency may change and the grid balance may be lost.

Electricity companies are concerned that if people turn off the lights simultaneously in the country, power consumption could be reduced by 10%. Causing the grid to fail.

Maharashtra's electricity minister, Raut, has appealed that people should not turn off the lights even when the lamp is lit. This will cause grit to fail and all emergency services may fail.