India gears up for Ray of Light on April 5, 2020 at 9:00 p.m. for 9 min, as it tries to beat Covid-19 with all its might with a 21 days nationwide lockdown
The Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi’s call for switching off lights for 9 minutes at 9:00 p.m. tomorrow, i.e., Sunday, April, 5, 2020, may result in an electricity load reduction of around 13 Giga Watts (GW) on India’s power grid.
State run Power System Operation Corp. Ltd. (POSOCO) is responsible for India’s electricity load management functions. POSOCO carries out load management functions through the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC). The NLDC supervises the Regional Load Despatch Centres (RLDCs), which is an apex body to ensure integrated operation of the power system in the concerned region. These RLDCs control State Load Despatch Centres (SLDCs) which is responsible for optimum scheduling and despatch of electricity within a State. For the records, India has 1 NLDC, 5 RLDCs and 33 SLDCs.
All the generating stations have been asked to synchronise their clocks to the Indian Standard Time (IST). The NLDC, RLDCs and SLDCs have been asked to extend the evening shift timings till 10:00 p.m. and to overlap them with the incoming night shift.
An advisory issued by POSOCO read, “It is inferred that total domestic lighting load reduction at all-India level is anticipated to the tune of 12-13 GW. Unlike normal operation, this reduction in load of the order of 12-13 GW would happen in 2-4 minutes and recover nine minutes later within 2-4 minutes.”
The power reduction in load and recovery will be handled through coal, gas, hydro, nuclear and green energy sources run by the Centre, States and the private sector. Also, India’s national grid is connected with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
The Minister of State (IC) Power and New & Renewable Energy – R.K. Singh has rule dout the possibilities that blackout will cause instability in the grid.
A statement from R.K. Singh read, “Some apprehensions have been expressed that this (the blackout) may cause instability in the grid and fluctuation in voltage which may harm the electrical appliances. These apprehensions are misplaced.”
The statement further read, “There is no call to switch off either streetlights or appliances like computers, TVs, fans, refrigerators and ACs in the homes. Only lights should be switched off.”
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 Modi is only for residences.
With factories being shut due to lockdown, India’s industrial and commercial power demand has gone down by 50%. However, domestic consumption that accounts for around a quarter of India’s power demand has gone up. The overall demand has fallen by 25%.
Of India’s total electricity demand load pattern, industrial and agricultural consumption account for 41.16% and 17.69% respectively. Commercial electricity consumption accounts for 8.24% of total demand.
Prior to this, Modi addressed the nation on Friday, April 3, 2020 through a video message where he urged the countrymen to spread a Ray of Light among each other on April 5, 2020 at 9:00 p.m. for 9 minutes. This will be done by switching off the lights of the residences and by lighting a diya, candlestick, torch light or phone torch.
Responding to a tweet of Amul Co-operative on lighting diyas, Modi tweeted, “These 9 minutes, at 9 PM on the 5th will bring our nation closer and strengthen the battle against COVID-19. #IndiaFightsCorona”
These 9 minutes, at 9 PM on the 5th will bring our nation closer and strengthen the battle against COVID-19. #IndiaFightsCorona https://t.co/ErwxzCn0bm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2020
Modi also responded to Movie Director Shekhar Kapur’s tweet by saying, “India is united in defeating COVID-19. This unity will be manifested tomorrow evening. #IndiaFightsCorona”
I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m definitely going to light a Diya on Sunday at 9pm for 9minutes.
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) April 3, 2020
To stand in solidarity with people of India, to honour our PM @narendramodi, to pray for courage and fortitude in this time
As we do on Diwali to guide truth into our hearts
