TGNPDCL Installs 392 Capacitor Banks to Cut Losses and Boost Rural Voltage

The Telangana Northern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGNPDCL) has implemented measures including the installation of 392 capacitor banks and eight voltage boosters to improve voltage levels and curb technical power losses across its distribution network, Chairman and Managing Director Karnati Varun Reddy announced in Hyderabad.

The discom currently caters to approximately 14 lakh agricultural pump sets. Because agricultural motors create a heavy inductive load on rural power feeders, the overall power factor frequently declines. This decline leads to higher current flow and severe voltage drops, particularly affecting consumers situated at the tail ends of long power supply lines.

To address these technical issues, TGNPDCL installed 303 capacitor banks of two MVAR capacity and 89 capacitor banks of one MVAR capacity at 33/11 kV substations over the past two-and-a-half years. In addition to substation-level equipment, the utility installed 600 kVAR capacitor banks at the 11 kV feeder level to locally compensate for reactive power demand generated by agricultural pumps.

Reddy explained that the installation of capacitor banks has relieved capacity pressure on Power Transformers (PTRs) across multiple locations. By locally supplying reactive power, the utility reduced the requirement for 66 additional power transformers, generating an estimated financial saving of around Rs 21 crore.

The reduction in reactive current carried by the feeders also significantly reduced technical I²R power losses. According to Reddy, this initiative resulted in an estimated reduction in technical losses worth approximately Rs 82 crore, enhancing the overall operational efficiency of the power grid.

To tackle low-voltage problems in geographically challenging and forested areas where building new substations is not technically or practically feasible, TGNPDCL deployed eight voltage boosters. These devices were installed across identified locations in Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Mancherial districts to stabilize the voltage profile for tail-end agricultural and domestic consumers.

Reddy highlighted that TGNPDCL will continue to adopt cost-effective, technology-driven solutions alongside new substations where necessary to strengthen the distribution network and maximize the utilization of existing infrastructure.