Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Transformer Failures a Major Roadblock in Rural Rajasthan’s Development

A recent report by the Orange Tree Foundation titled ‘Understanding the Availability and Quality of Electricity Supply’ highlights a glaring disparity in electricity supply between rural and urban areas in Rajasthan. While India has achieved 100 percent electrification, rural households in the state continue to suffer from unreliable and poor-quality electricity. The report reveals that nearly 30 percent of rural households receive less than 12 hours of electricity daily, while urban areas experience significantly fewer outages.

One of the major challenges contributing to these issues is the deployment of small-sized transformers in rural areas. Though the extension of 11kV lines using small transformers is projected as a cost-effective solution to reduce distribution loss, it has been found to result in higher long-term costs. Small transformers, especially those with aluminium winding, are prone to higher failure rates, with an average lifespan of only 3-4 years. This is far shorter than the expected 25-year lifespan of distribution transformers, leading to increased costs for consumers and frequent outages in rural areas.

Mr. L N Nimawat, Retd. CE and member of Samta Power, highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue, stating, “Rural masses are equally entitled to reliable and quality electrical supply as their urban counterparts. The frequent transformer failures and voltage issues demand urgent intervention. We need to prioritise the use of high-life copper-wound transformers and implement modern techniques for better monitoring and theft prevention. By doing so, we can significantly reduce equipment failures and improve
the overall reliability of the electricity supply, especially in rural areas that are presently facing the brunt of unreliable electricity supply.”

The debate over aluminium versus copper-wound transformers is central to improving power infrastructure. Aluminium-wound transformers have a higher susceptibility to failure due to high ambient temperature, overload and overheating, especially in rural settings while copper-wound transformers offer greater durability, reliability, and a longer lifespan. States across India have already begun moving away from aluminium-wound small transformers, opting for copper-wound and dry-type transformers to ensure a more stable and robust power supply.

To address these challenges, a shift in focus is required from Rajasthan’s DISCOMs. The adoption of better-quality infrastructure, modern monitoring techniques, and theft prevention measures is critical to ensuring reliable power for rural consumers. The government and power distribution companies must take proactive steps to invest in durable solutions that will provide equitable and consistent electricity supply to both rural and urban areas.

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