Gujarat eyes stronger power grid with seven new STATCOM installations
Gandhinagar, May 22
Gujarat will install advanced Static Synchronous Compensator systems at seven more substations across the state after the successful implementation of the technology at the Timbdi substation in Gir Somnath district, the state government said on Friday.
Officials said the move is aimed at strengthening the state's power grid, improving voltage stability and ensuring an uninterrupted electricity supply, particularly in regions with high agricultural demand.
The state's first STATCOM with a capacity of ±120 MVAR was commissioned at the 220 kV Timbdi substation in Gir Somnath district on March 5, 2019, by Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO), which functions under the Energy and Petrochemicals Department.
With the commissioning of the project, GETCO became the first state transmission utility in India to use STATCOM technology.
Describing the system as a "smart voltage stabiliser", the government said the technology continuously monitors grid conditions and instantly responds to fluctuations by supplying or absorbing reactive power to maintain voltage stability and uninterrupted power flow.
"Gujarat once faced power shortages but has emerged as a self-reliant and leading state in the energy sector following reforms introduced under the leadership of then chief minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi," officials said.
They further said initiatives such as the 'Jyotigram Yojana' helped ensure a 24-hour electricity supply in rural areas and became a model for other states.
They added that the state was continuing to expand and modernise power infrastructure under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Officials said the requirement for STATCOM technology arose because of large fluctuations in electricity demand across sectors, especially in agriculture, which made maintaining voltage stability and power quality difficult in several regions.
At the Timbdi substation, voltage instability had become a persistent issue because of the absence of nearby power generation sources and the presence of only a single-circuit transmission link.
The government said voltage levels in the area earlier fluctuated between 190 kV and 245 kV.
During peak demand periods, voltage would drop to around 190-200 kV, while during the monsoon season, when demand was lower, it would rise to 235-245 kV.
Officials said conventional systems such as capacitors and reactors provided only fixed support and were insufficient to manage rapid demand fluctuations, leading to the need for a dynamic compensation system.
The government said the STATCOM system now operates in real time to balance the grid under varying load conditions, regulate power factor, reduce over-voltage and prevent sudden voltage drops.
It added that the technology has reduced the load on the transmission system, lowered power losses and improved equipment safety.
The installation has benefited consumers in Gir Somnath, Junagadh, Amreli and surrounding areas, particularly farmers, by improving the reliability and quality of electricity supply for both rural and industrial use.
Following the success of the Timbdi project, the government has proposed the installation of ±125 MVAR capacity STATCOM systems at six existing 220 kV substations located at Tharad, Diodar, Sagpara, Kheralu, Kukma and Dhrangadhra, as well as at the upcoming 400 kV Dholera-2 substation.
The government noted that the expansion of the technology would further strengthen Gujarat's power infrastructure and support a reliable and quality electricity supply across the state.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's impressive that GETCO became the first state transmission utility in India to use STATCOM. The technical details are fascinating—real-time balancing of reactive power to maintain voltage stability. The fact that voltages used to swing from 190 kV to 245 kV shows how critical this technology is. I hope other states take note!
"Jyotigram Yojana" was indeed a revolutionary scheme. I remember when my village in Gujarat got 24-hour power supply—it changed everything for us. Now with STATCOM, the quality will improve further. But let's not forget, we still need better maintenance of distribution lines. Voltage stabilisers alone can't fix broken transformers! 😅
The ₹crore question is: how much will this cost taxpayers? And will farmers actually see cheaper power bills? STATCOM is great for grid stability, but the article doesn't mention the financial aspect. I hope GETCO has done a proper cost-benefit analysis before rolling out seven more units. Technology is only half the battle!
As an electrical engineer, I can say STATCOM is a brilliant solution for voltage instability. Capacitors and reactors are outdated for dynamic loads like agriculture. But why stop at seven? Gujarat has over 100 districts, and many remote areas still struggle with power quality. Hope this is just the beginning of a phased rollout! ⚡
Proud of Gujarat's progress from power shortage to self-reliance! But let's be honest—the credit goes to decades of work, not just one leader. The article keeps mentioning "Modi" and "Bhupendra
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