News

One Nation-One Grid-One Frequency: National Grid

Why in News

Recently, the Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd (PGCIL) celebrated the anniversary of operationalization of One Nation-One Grid-One Frequency i.e National Grid.

Evolution of National Grid:

• The national grid management on a regional basis started in the sixties.
• The Indian Power system for planning and operational purposes is divided into five regional grids.
• The integration of regional grids, and thereby establishment of National Grid, was conceptualised in the early nineties.
• Initially, State grids were interconnected to form a regional grid and India was demarcated into 5 regions namely Northern, Eastern, Western, North Eastern and Southern region.
• In 1991 North Eastern and Eastern grids were connected. Further, in 2003, Western region grid was connected with it.
• In august 2006 North and East grids were interconnected thereby 4 regional grids are synchronously connected forming a central grid operating at one frequency.

Benefits of One Nation-One Grid-One Frequency:

• Matching Demand-Supply: Synchronisation of all regional grids will help in optimal utilization of scarce natural resources by transfer of Power from Resource centric regions to Load centric regions.
• Development of Electricity Market: Further, this shall pave the way for establishment of a vibrant Electricity market facilitating trading of power across regions.