Fears of grid failure are misplaced: Power ministry

Jairam raises concern over PM’S ‘light-up’ appeal

NEW DELHI: Allaying fears of electricity grid failure following the Prime Minister’s appeal to switch off lights on Sunday night, the Power ministry said these apprehensions are misplaced and all protocols are in place to handle the fluctuation in demand.

There have been concerns that the blackout may impact the electricity grid due sudden drop in peak power demand, which was already down 25 per cent at 125.81 GW on April 2 compared to a year ago. However, the Power ministry in a statement on Saturday said these “apprehensions are misplaced”.

The ministry noted there have been some concerns that the blackout on Sunday may cause instability in the grid and fluctuation in voltage, which may harm the electrical appliances.

“The appeal of the Prime Minister is to simply switch off the lights in their homes from 9 pm to 9.09 pm on April 5. There is no call to switch off either street lights or appliances like computers, TVS, fans, refrigerators and ACS in the homes. Only lights should be switched off,” it said.

Lights in hospitals and all other essential services will remain on.

Expressing his concern over the issue, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter on Saturday: “As somebody who has been associated with the power sector for almost three decades including as minister, the call to go dark for 9 min at 9 pm on the 5th can have deep impact on the grid and its stability. I sincerely hope this is being properly managed.”