Manipur gets first-of-its-kind gas insulated substation

Imphal: Manipur Power Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh inaugurated the first of its kind Gas Insulated Sub-Station (GIS) at Thongju Part II under the North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP) on September 27.

Addressing the inaugural function as chief guest, the minister expressed his gratitude to the staff and officials of both Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) and Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) for their tireless effort to improve power supply quality in the state.  

He said the inauguration of the first-of-its-kind GIS substation in the state is an achievement of the companies and said it will help ensure reliable and quality power supply in the area.           

Stating that this GIS substation has several advantages over conventional sub-stations, the power minister said the newly inaugurated sub-station requires around only 10 per cent space of a conventional substation. It will also protect from pollution, reduce switching over voltages, be economical and maintenance free. 

The GIS substation also has other advantages over the conventional AIS as it will increase safety, have low gas pressure, superior arc interruption, among others.

Singh said the state has managed to reduce the ATC losses of the state to 20.27 per cent against its target of 21 per cent. He said the ATC was as high as 45 per cent in the past.     

Meanwhile, speaking on the government and the department’s effort to tap the state’s huge natural resources lying unused, the power minister said sites for 29 mini hydro power projects have been identified and said we cannot bring development without utilizing our huge natural resources.           

The power minister, who is also in charge of Trade, Commerce and Industries, appealed to the people to promote local merchandise and utilise handloom products. He said that if our entire population utilises even one item of our handloom products each, we can improve the livelihood of the state’s artisans.           

He said Manipur today is witnessing industrial growth for which reliable and quality power supply is much needed.

Manipur Planning Board Deputy Chairman and Keirao A/C MLA L. Rameshwor Meetei lauded the staff and officials of the two companies for their untiring efforts.           

Emphasizing on the importance of quality power supply in the industrialization of a society, the MLA said the improvement in power supply witnessed over the past few years has helped the youth of the state in their small-scale business endeavors.

He said due to the ongoing pandemic, many of our youth who were working outside have returned. These youth are now opening small scale businesses like poultry farming, fish farming, etc.

Commissioner Power K.Raghumani said the power sector in the state has witnessed a great changeover the past three years. Today, people are enjoying 24×7 uninterrupted power supply, he continued. 

The company is also collecting more revenue with the installation of prepaid meters. There are a total of 5.02 lakh power consumers in the state now, out of which 3.34 lakh prepaid meters have already been installed and activated, he said, adding that due to the improvement in power supply, the state is witnessing an industrial growth.

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The Commissioner continued that under the government’s SAUBHAGYA scheme, electrification of rural areas had been undertaken.

Delivering the key-note address, MSPCL Managing Director N. Sarat said the inauguration of the GIS substation is an important landmark in the power sector of the state. The scheme was funded by Government of India and World Bank on a 50:50 basis. He continued that 13 similar sub-stations will be inaugurated at the earliest.

The MD added that for financial sustainability, revenue collection needs to be strong and that the people should also understand this.

The GIS at Thongju Part II, Imphal, will cater the power requirement of the surrounding villages of Thongju Part I/II, Kyamgei, Pheijaleitong, Koirou, Ningomthong, Kha Naorem Leikai, Canchipur, Langthabal Kunja, Bashikhong, etc., with good quality and reliable power and loading pressure on the nearby 33/11 kV sub-station at Kakwa, Monsangei and Kongba will be reduced extensively. 

It can also serve as an alternate source of power for Manipur University in case of exigency. Today’s inaugural function was also attended by MSPDCL MD Ng Subhachandra, officials of Power Grid, MSPDCL and MSPCL among others. 

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