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Power Grid Corporation Of India Limited
Factual and Procedural Background
NLDC, in compliance with Rule 4 (j) of NLDC Rules, 2005, submitted a report titled “Operational Feedback on Transmission Constraints” for the first quarter of 2015 (April to June) to CEA and CTU, with a copy to the Commission. The report identified 25 transmission lines (21 lines of 400 kV and above and 4 lines of 220 kV) where tower collapses occurred, leading to line outages. Among these, 17 lines belonged to PGCIL, while the remainder were owned by UPPCL, RRVPNL, and WBSETCL. The report highlighted an increase in tower collapses in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014-15, particularly at the 765 kV voltage level. The Commission expressed concern over the rising incidents and directed investigations and reports from CEA, CTU, and POSOCO (NLDC) regarding the causes, impact, and remedial actions related to these tower collapses. Additionally, the Commission noted unusually long revival times for certain lines owned by state entities, urging State Commissions to examine these issues. The matter was scheduled for further directions on 3.12.2015.
Legal Issues Presented
- Whether the incidents of tower collapse in the first quarter of 2015 require thorough investigation to identify root causes and whether they constitute force majeure events.
- Whether the transmission planning criteria and operation and maintenance practices need revision in light of the increased tower collapses.
- The adequacy of the revival time for affected transmission lines and the reasons for delays exceeding 30 days.
- The responsibility of State Commissions regarding tower collapses and prolonged revival times on transmission lines under their jurisdiction but impacting the national grid.
Arguments of the Parties
The opinion does not contain a detailed account of the parties' legal arguments.
Table of Precedents Cited
No precedents were cited in the provided opinion.
Court's Reasoning and Analysis
The Commission’s analysis is grounded on the operational data and comparative statistics presented by NLDC, showing a notable increase in tower collapses during the first quarter of 2015. It reasoned that such failures warrant comprehensive investigation to determine root causes, distinguishing between force majeure events and failures attributable to operational or maintenance deficiencies. The Commission emphasized the importance of revisiting transmission planning criteria and strengthening infrastructure protection if the causes are not natural disasters. It also highlighted the operational impact of prolonged tower revival times, directing CTU to explain delays exceeding 30 days. The Commission acknowledged that while some affected lines fall under State Commissions’ jurisdiction, their outages affect national grid security, thereby necessitating coordinated oversight and remedial action. The decision to require detailed reports and further directions reflects a methodical approach to addressing systemic vulnerabilities and ensuring grid security.
Holding and Implications
The Commission directed CEA, CTU, and POSOCO (NLDC) to submit detailed reports by 30.11.2015 on the causes, impact, and remedial actions related to tower collapses during the first quarter of 2015, and requested State Commissions to investigate the reasons for prolonged revival times on their jurisdictional lines.
The direct effect of this decision is to initiate a thorough fact-finding and remedial process aimed at improving transmission line reliability and grid security. No new legal precedent was established, and the order primarily functions as a supervisory directive to relevant authorities for enhanced monitoring and corrective measures.
1. In discharge of its responsibility under Rule 4 (j) of NLDC Rules, 2005, NLDC has submitted to CEA and CTU the report on “Operational Feedback on Transmission Constraints” for the quarter April to June, 2015 (1 quarter of 2015). A copy of the report has been endorsed to the Commission vide NLDC's letter dated 21.7.2015
2. In para 1.6 of the report, NLDC has given a list of 21 no. of 400 kV and above lines and 4 No of 220 kV lines where some towers have collapsed during the first quarter of 2015 leading to line outage. Out of the 25 lines, PGCIL is the owner of 17 lines and the remaining lines belong to UPPCL, RRVPNL, WBSETCL. NLDC has further stated in the report that the number of tower collapse is more during the first quarter of 2015 compared to the corresponding quarter in the year 2014-15. The relevant para of the report is extracted as under:—
“Comparing the first quarter of 2014 (viz. April, May, June) and the first quarter of 2015, there is an increase in the 765 kV tower collapse/damages. The comparison table is give below. It is important that these failures are investigated thoroughly and the root cause identified and the remedial vulnerable. In the eventually that the investigations indicate that all these outages are in the nature of force majeure (which again appears improbable considering the geographically widespread nature of these incidents), it calls for a re-look at the transmission planning criteria. In case the reasons for failure are otherwise, it calls for a re-look of the operation and maintenance practices and the need to secure and protect critical infrastructure such as transmission lines.
Voltage LevelNo. Of tower collapse in the first quarter in 2014-15No. Of tower collapse in the first quarter in 2015-16765 kV39400 kV912Total1221
3. The Commission is concerned about the rising incidents of tower collapse. The Commission accordingly directs the CEA and CTU to investigate into the incidents of tower collapse during the 1 quarter of 2015 and submit reports containing the reasons for tower collapse. CTU is also directed to explain the reasons where the revival time of the towers has exceeded 30 days.
4. POSOCO (NLDC) is directed to submit a report containing the details of impact of tower collapses during the 1 quarter of 2015 and the consequent line tripping on the system operation and grid security, the action taken by concerned RLDCs in this regard and the response of the constituent entities to the directions of RLDCs.
5. The reports as per the directions above shall be submitted by CEA, CTU and POSOCO (NLDC) by 30.11.2015
6. It is also noticed from the list of transmission lines at Annexure, five lines are owned by UPPTCL, RRVPNL and WBSETCL. In case of three transmission lines of UPPTCL, the revival time ranges from 44 days to 345 days. In case of two transmission lines of RRVPNL, the revival time is 76 days and 97 days. Though the transmission system of UPPTCL, RRVPNL and WBSETCL fall under the jurisdiction of the respective State Commissions, their outage on account of tower collapse affect the safe and secure operation of the national grid. We request the concerned State Commission to look into the reasons for tower collapse and the unusually long time take to revive the towers.
7. The matter shall be listed for further directions on 3.12.2015
Annexure
DETAILS of LINE OUTAGE DUE TO TOWER COLLAPSE AND REVIVAL DURING 1 QUARTER of 2015S. No.LineVoltagenRegionOwnerOutage DateOutage TimeRevival dateRevival TimeReasonTd* (days)1Mainpuri-Paricha-I400NRUPPTCL31.05.14173511.05.151127Towers Collapsed3452Mainpuri-Paricha-II400NRUPPTCL31.05.14173509.05.151141Towers Collapsed3423Akal-Barmer-I400NRRRVPNL15.02.1572322.05.150855Towers Collapsed974Anta RSPhagi-I765NRRRVPNL14.03.15181330.05.151055Towers Collapsed765Raipur-KSK-I & II400WRPGCIL25.04.15173106.05.152034 & 2039Towers Collapsed126Tamnar-Raipur-I400WRPGCIL25.04.15173223.05.151152Towers Collapsed287Tamnar-Raipur-II400WRPGCIL25.04.15173203.05.152355Towers Collapsed68Unnao-Lucknow400NRUPPTCL28.04.15063212.06.151103Towers Collapsed449VTPSSatna-I & II400WRPGCIL13.05.15133526.05.152233&22 59Towers Collapsed1310Fatehpur-Gaya765NR/ERPGCIL14.05.15142502.06.152112Towers Collapsed1811Fatehpur-Gaya765NR/ERPGCIL12.06.15142526.06.152102Tower Damaged1412Satna-Bina-I765WRPGCIL16.05.15141426.05.150236Towers Collapsed1013Agra-Meerut765NRPGCIL19.05.15180303.06.151813Towers Collapsed1514Satna-Bina-II765WRPGCIL19.05.15200831.05.151336Towers Collapsed4115FarakkAGurgapur-II400ERPGCIL24.05.15181012.06.1514437 Towers Collapsed1916Sagardighi -Durgapur-II 400ERWBSET CL24.05.15184212.06.1519242 Towers Collapsed1917Sagardighi-Durgapur-I400ERWBSET CL24.05.15184212.06.1519362 Towers Collapsed1918Bina-Gwalior III765WRPGCIL02.06.15171820.06.151923Tower Damaged1819Bhilai-Koradi400WRPGCIL06.06.150849’08.06.151930Tower Damaged220Dharamjai garh-New Ranchi-II765WR/ERPGCIL16.06.150719’21.06.151946Tower Damaged521Agra-Jhatikara765NRPGCIL23.06.15162227.06.152056Tower Damaged4
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