Load shedding disrupts public life in Ishwardi

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :

A power transformer of Jayanagar Grid has burnt amid ongoing heat wave in Ishwardi. Due to which load shedding has increased by leaps and bounds. Loadshedding is done hourly every 3-4 hours in equal rhythm during day and night. It also includes SCADA system load shedding. The local people’s life has been disrupted due to lack of electricity in the heat of the day. PGCB officials say load shedding is not due to burning power transformers, but due to reduction in power generation in the country, similar load shedding is happening in other places. But others say loadshedding is happening in other parts of the country, but not as intermittently as in Ishwardi.
According to PGCB sources, Ishwardi’s electricity demand in Jayanagar grid is 80 MW. To meet the demand, electricity is supplied through two power transformers of 75 MW capacity. Each has a capacity of 75 MW but the actual capacity of each fluctuates around 50-65 MW.
In the beginning of this month, the life of the people was in darkness when the power was cut off due to the snake entering inside the auxiliary transformer. Then on May 7 last 1 power transformer got burnt. Presently power is being supplied by load shedding with 1 power transformer under extreme risk. Only 40-50 MW of electricity is being supplied per day with the help of one. In Ishwardi, only half of the demand is being supplied, but the authorities do not admit to periodic load-shedding. It is known from the neighboring Natore, Rajshahi and Kushtia’s Bheramara that there is load shedding but not every 3-4 hours like in Ishwardi day and night.
According to sources, the electricity demand in Shudhu Ishwardi under Nesco is 37 MW, but the actual generation is very less. 8 MW of power is being supplied to Rooppur Atomic Housing ‘Green City’ and EPZ exempted from load shedding. The city’s more important Patilakhali sub-station has a power demand of 8 MW, Skulpara 6 MW and Jayanagar sub-station 12-13 MW. The more important Patilakhali sub-station has been brought under SCADA system (supervisory control and data acquisition). As the system is connected to the national power grid, it is shut down in phases day and night by automation system. Besides, load shedding is also being done due to transformer failure.
A large number of Russians live in rented houses in the area under the Patilakhali sub-station, including Ishwardi Bazar. With additional load increase of 5-6 MW for Ishwardi, Patilakhali sub-station is urgently required to remove scudder-covered and useless power transformers and install new ones.
PGCB’s Jayanagar HVDC Circle Supervising Engineer Shariful Islam said that the tender was published online on May 14 for the replacement of the power transformer that was burnt on May 7. It is being brought from Savar. Transportation, installation and commissioning may take another 15-20 days. The 75 MW power transformer in operation has an actual capacity of 60-65 MW. Tackling the big challenge with a transformer. He said that we do not generate electricity but transmit it, not because of burning power transformers, but because of temporary shortfall in electricity generation in the country, there is frequent load shedding.
When asked about the loadshedding context with Nesco executive engineer Abdun Noor, he said, “We cannot speak without the permission of the HR department of Rajshahi.”