Total blackout on Sunday could unsettle the grid and create problems: Kerala State Electricity Board

The Kerala State Electricity Board feels that if all the lights are switched off it could unsettle the grid and create problems which may take a few days to be resolved.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) on Saturday expressed concern over the switching off, of all lights on Sunday. The board feels that if all the lights are switched off, it could unsettle the grid and create problems which may take a few days to be resolved. It was on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged citizens to switch off lights on April 5 at 9 p.m. for nine minutes, and hold candles, lamps and mobile flashlights to instill confidence and dispel the darkness spread by the coronavirus. The request has been garnering varied reactions on social media. While several people support the PM Modi's call as a way of boosting morale in tough times, others question the practicality of this nationwide exercise. ALSO WATCH | Coronavirus Outbreak: How Blackout Could Affect Power Grids Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut has recently expressed similar concerns when he said that in case all lights are suddenly switched off on Sunday night as mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there is a possibility of the power grid being affected. Meanwhile, the KSEB has said that it has worked out an alternate plan to deal with potential issues that could result from the blackout. It says that the officials will switch on generators to control the load in the grid just before 9 pm and switch them off a minute or two after 9.10 pm. However, refuting the claims, Union Power Ministry said that such apprehensions of possible instability in grid and voltage fluctuation are misplaced. "The appeal of the Prime Minister is to switch off lights in their homes from 9 p.m. to 9.09 p.m. on April 5. There is no call to switch off street lights or appliances, like computers, televisions, fans, refrigerators and air conditioners in the homes. Only lights should be switched off," the Power Ministry said in a statement.

The lights in Hospitals and all other essential services like Public Utilities, Municipal Services, Offices, Police Stations, Manufacturing Facilities, etc will remain on. The call given by Hon’ble PM is to just switch off lights in residences. #PoweringIndia #IndiaFightsCorona

— Ministry of Power (@MinOfPower) April 4, 2020

Soon after the appeal, the Power Ministry had a meeting with PowerGrid Corporation, the central transmission utility, to accomplish the event without destabilising the grid. The appeal had triggered the talk that the 9-minute blackout could cause surge in voltage and might damage domestic appliances. It has been clarified that lights at hospitals, public utilities, municipal services, offices, police stations and manufacturing facilities will remain on. All local bodies have been advised to keep the street lights on for public safety.