CONSUMER GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL FORUM NORTHERN REGION, KOZHIKODE. (Formed under section 42(5) of Electricity Act 2003.) Vydyuthibhavan, Gandhi Road, Kozhikode -673011 Telephone Number -0495 2367820 [email protected] PRESENT MEENA. S : CHAIRPERSON E.R. SREELATHA SELVAM : MEMBER II ROBIN PETER : MEMBER III OP NO.17/2017-18 PETITIONER : 1. Sri. Radhakrishnan Nair, Flat No.5, Tharakan Plaza Quarters, Karakkunnu P.O., Malappuram - 676123. RESPONDENTS : 1. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Sub Division, KSEB Ltd, Manjeri (S), Malappuram District. 2. The Assistant Engineer, Electrical Section, KSEB Ltd., Thrikkalangode, Malappuram District. ORDER Case of the Petitioner:- The frequent power failure occurring in the precinct of Karakkunnu town in Malappuram District is the substance of the complaint .The distribution of electricity in the area is carried out by Electrical Section Trikkalangode. The petitioner is aggrieved by the recurring nature of power disruption at the rate of minimum 5 to 6 times since March 2017. The people in the locality are suffering from the unexpected power disruption occurring during the different parts of the day. The duration sometimes lasts for hours. Further on 03/05/2015, the petitioner submitted the details of interruptions from 26/04/2017 to 02/05/2017.The petitioner is working in a time sensitive international project and continuous power supply is required for the completion of the on line activities which are carried out by the petitioner on daily contract basis. The petitioner’s work is affected by the unexpected power failures. The petitioner suggests prior information to the consumers in the surrounding about the load shedding schedule in order to plan their day to day activities and to alleviate the severity of power failure. Version by the Respondent:- The petitioner’s single phase domestic connection bears consumer number 1167069016548.LT supply to the connection is fed from160KVA Karakkunnu Transformer. The above transformer is attached to the Trikkalangode 11KV Feeder coming from 66KV Sub Station Manjeri. 2 The complaint of the petitioner is about the hardship and inconveniences due to the power supply interruptions. It is contended that the major supply interruptions is caused by the scheduled and unscheduled interruptions occurred at 66 KV Substation Manjeri.The scheduled interruption was occurred due to the ongoing work of up gradation of 66 KV substation Manjeri to 110KV and also due to the load restrictions imposed from LD Kalamassery due to the shortage of power in the grid. The unscheduled interruptions occurred were due to the 66 KV line tripping occurred several times due to lightning .In connection with the up gradation work going on at Manjeri Substation, the breaker switching facility sectionalizing the Manjeri-Nilambur 66 KV feeder from Malappuram- Manjeri 66 KV line is not available and hence during 66 KV line tripping, more time is required to complete the line patrolling and for test charging the feeder. The interruption of supply occurred on the 11 KV Thrikkalangode feeder under Electrical Section Thrikkalangode is mainly during the rainy days and also due to heavy wind. The licensee carried out the 11 KV touching work during December 2016 and January 2017 but 11 KV line tripping occurs due to the falling of palms and trees by storm. In addition to Electrical section, Thrikkalangode, two more section viz electrical sections Thiruvali and Edavanna are also using this 11 KV feeder. Hence scheduled and unscheduled works by those sections will also affect the supply in this section. The supply interruptions pointed out by the petitioner is not a sole complaint affecting the petitioner only or an LT line complaint. All the interruptions occurred are on either 11 KV lines or at 3 Manjeri substation and are beyond the control of electrical section, Thrikkalangode . The licensee states that the back feeding facility available on 11 KV feeders, during the shutdown period of 66 KV substations Manjeri, is by availing supply through Puthalam feeder from Areekode 110KV substation; but it is not reliable. In case of 11 KV line fault occurred under the jurisdiction of Elecrical Section, Thrikkalangode, all possible measures are taken by the licensee to restore the supply with the coordination of nearby section offices , as per the direction of the operator of 66 KV/SS Manjeri, as per the procedures and on considering the safety aspects. A permanent solution to the supply interruption will be achieved on completion of the up gradationof 66 KV Manjeri Substation to 110 KV level. Additional Statement by the Respondent ;- The licensee states that the supply interruption caused is mainly due to the scheduled and unscheduled interruption occurred on the 11 KV feeders fed from 66 KV substations Manjeri. This is resulted from various ongoing up gradation work being carried out by the Transmission wing under the jurisdiction of the Executive Engineer, Transmission Division, Malappuram. The ongoing works such as up gradation of existing single circuit 66 KV Malappuram-Manjeri line to double circuit 110KV line and the up gradation of existing 66 KV Manjeri substation to 110KV level and commissioning of 20 MVA 110/11KV Transformer (1st phase) are expected to be completed by August 2017. The commission of another 20 MVA 110 4 KV Transformer with bay extension as the second phase will be completed by March 2018. In addition to these works the commissioning of 220 KV substation at Manjeri is scheduled to be completed by March 2019.The licensee assures permanent solution for the above supply interruption with the completion of all these works. Discussion, analysis and findings:- Hearing of the case was convened on 20/05/2017. Having considered all the documents submitted and the deliberations during the hearing, the forum has come to the following conclusions leading to the decision;- The intermittent power interruptions in the area affecting the day to day online work/activities of the petitioner compelled him to approach the Forum. The licensee submitted difficulties experienced in the distribution system in the area. The measures taken up by the licensee in order to provide quality supply of electricity are also explained. The licensee stated that the Up gradation of existing 66 KV Manjeri substation to 110KV level and commissioning of 20 MVA 110/11KV Transformer (1st phase) are expected to be completed by August 2017. The commissioning of another 20 MVA, 110 KV Transformer with bay extension as the second phase is expected to be completed by March 2018. The commissioning of 220 KV substations at Manjeri is scheduled to be completed by March 2019. The Transmission and Distribution net work are being developed for providing quality and uninterrupted supply to the consumers. The licensee 5 Identified the said area having interruptions and thereby scheduled to upgrade the existing 66KV substation Manjeri to 110 KV level. The up gradation work is nearing completion and expected to be commissioned by 08/2017. The Respondent agreed that the Distribution network will be strengthened so as to avail supply from the up graded substation. The Forum is of the view that uninterrupted quality power will be provided to the petitioner and others in that area and it will be a permanent solution for the grievances of the petitioner. But the respondent has to take sincere efforts to maintain the existing network healthy till the commissioning. Also the Respondent has to communicate the fact of scheduled interruptions in advance and for unscheduled interruptions, proper reply shall be given whenever the consumers contact section officers, field office or staff. DECISION:- Whatever be the reasons, the petitioner is affected by the interruptions. The Respondent confirmed that interruption will be considerably reduced by the commissioning of 110KV substation, Manjeri. The Respondent shall take effective measures to minimize interruptions as far as possible till the commissioning of 110KV substation, Manjeri. The petition is closed. Dated this the 18thday of July, 2017. Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- E.R.SreelathaSelvam RobinPeter Meena.S Member III Member II Chairperson. 6 Endt.on CGRF-NR/OP 17/2017-18/ 295/ 18- 07-2017 Forwarded to: 1) . Sri. Radhakrishnan Nair, If the petitioner is not satisfied with the above order of this Flat No.5, Forum, he is at liberty to prefer appeal before the State Tharakan Plaza Quarters, Electricity Ombudsman, Charangattu Bhavan, Building Karakkunnu Jn. No.34/895, Mamangalam-Anchumana Road,Edappally, Thrikkalangode – P.O., Kochi-682024 (Ph: 04842346488) within 30 days from the date Malappuram - 676123. of receipt of this order. 2) The Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Sub Division, KSEB Ltd, Manjeri(S), Malappuram District Copy submitted to: Chief Engineer (Distribution – North), Kozhikode Copy to: 1. The Secretary,KSEB Ltd., Vydyuthibhavanam, Thiruvananthapuram. 2. Deputy Chief Engineer, Electrical Circle, Manjeri. 3. The Executive Engineer, Electrical Division, Manjeri. 4. The Assistant Engineer, Electrical Section, Thrikkalangode Forwarded KSEB Ltd., Malappuram District. Chairperson 7 .