Power Ministry Clarifies Doubters , 9 Minute Light Switch Off Call By Prime Minister Narendra Modi Will Not Affect Grid

Picture : Twitter / ANI

The power ministry has clearly assured that following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to switch off lights on Sunday night , all apprehensions are misplaced and all protocols are in place to handle the fluctuation in demand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged people to switch off the lights at their homes and light up lamps, candles or mobile phone torches for nine minutes at 9 pm on Sunday to display the country’s “collective resolve” to defeat the coronavirus.

There have been concerns that the blackout may impact the electricity grid due sudden drop in peak power demand, which was already down 25 per cent at 125.81 GW on April 2 compared to a year ago.

However, the power ministry in a statement on Saturday said these “apprehensions are misplaced.”

The ministry noted there have been some concerns that the blackout on Sunday may cause instability in the grid and fluctuation in voltage, which may harm the electrical appliances.

The Indian electricity grid is robust and stable, and adequate arrangements and protocols are in place to handle the variation in demand, it explained.

The ministry further said the prime minister’s appeal is to simply switch off the lights, and there is no call to switch off either street lights or appliances like computers, TVs, fans, refrigerators and ACs in homes.

Additionally, the lights in hospitals and all other essential services like public utilities, municipal services, offices, police stations and manufacturing facilities will remain on, it said.

All local bodies have been advised to keep the street lights on for public safety, the power ministry said.

Meanwhile, state load dispatch centres and transmission utilities are gearing up to deal with the situation.