SRINAGAR, DEC 02: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has called on its consumers to avoid using all heating devices at the same time, warning that this practice overloads the system and leads to unscheduled power outages.
In a statement released today, Er. Aaquib Waheed Deva, Chief Engineer of Distribution at KPDCL, advised consumers to stagger the use of heating appliances when power supply resumes after curtailment hours. “The frequent snapping of power within 15 to 20 minutes is primarily due to the simultaneous powering on of all heating gadgets,” she explained, highlighting the rampant use of banned crude heaters and boilers as a major cause of damage to distribution transformers (DTs).
Er. Deva emphasised that if the heating load is carefully managed and synchronized within the sanctioned limits, unscheduled power outages could be avoided. “By being judicious in the use of power, consumers can help prevent damage to the system and ensure a stable supply,” she said.
The Chief Engineer also urged consumers to cooperate in protecting DTs from overloading. According to KPDCL, 1,043 DTs were damaged in November 2024 due to excessive and unsanctioned load. However, KPDCL successfully restored 1,035 DTs during the same month, helping to ensure continuous power supply during the harsh winter months, when temperatures dipped below freezing.
To further mitigate the issue, KPDCL is maintaining a buffer stock of 1,554 DTs by reclaiming damaged units from various divisional workshops as well as the Central Workshop in Pampore, ensuring the availability of necessary resources to meet winter demands.
