The Hindu : New Delhi News : Polymer insulation for all power transmission lines

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Polymer insulation for all power transmission lines

Staff Reporter

Would save them from tripping due to man-made, natural causes

May cost Rs.150 crore to 200 crore
Cost to be passed on to consumers

NEW DELHI: The Capital will soon have a more reliable power transmission system, but this will come at a price. The Central Electricity Authority has given the go-ahead for replacement of all existing power transmission lines passing through the National Capital Region with polymer coated ones.

Stability

Polymer coating of lines is being seen as a preventive measure that will save the power-carrying lines from tripping due to man-made and natural causes.

“After 50 transmission lines tripped one after the other in March causing a blackout across the northern region, the Union Power Ministry set up a committee to come up with preventive measures. It has now been decided that all power transmission lines of 200 kV and those that emanate from a 400 kV grid will be polymer-coated,” said Power Department sources.

The project, which is likely to cost Rs.150 crore to 200 crore, will help prevent tripping of lines during bad weather and pollution.

“Apart from fog, tripping is also caused by pollution. We will identify the areas where pollution levels are high and replace the existing lines with polymer coated ones,” said official sources.

The cost of the exercise that will ensure a more stable transmission system will, however, be borne by consumers.

“It is an investment, but the expenditure incurred on it will eventually be passed on to the consumers by the discoms,” said the sources.

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