Udaipur, inspite of being a reservoir for power due to the large number of water bodies in and around the city, is set to encounter power shortage in the coming years.  This is due to the increasing population and non-availability of land.

On one hand, the demand for power is increasing due to increasing population – both from residential as well as industrial units.  On the other hand, the Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam, which is the electricity board under which Udaipur falls, is facing shortage of land within the city as well as outside, for them to install new transformers.

According the experts the use of modern electronic resources is increasing demand for electricity.  In order to keep pace with the ever increasing demand for Power, experts have said that 450 new transformers will be required – both to meet the increasing population and increased industrial and corporate use.

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The current consumption of Udaipur is around 80 Mega Watt, which is expected to increase to 110 Mega Watt in the near future.  Accordingly, 150 new transformers are called for within the city, while 300 transformers are required in the industrial areas and outskirts.  Considering the need for a minimum 80 sqft of space for smaller transformers within the city area, around 12,000 sqft of land needed in the city limits.  Procuring this land will be a challenge for the Electricity board due to the ever growing population.

300 transformers needed around the city will required 24,000 sqft of land.  Laying of underground power cables as a part of the Smart City project and installation of transformers across town, will require fool proof coordination between AVVNL, UIT and UMC.  Failing which, the volume of overhead cables and transformers shooting up around town will affect the beauty of the city considerably.

Udaipur has around 2,200 transformers, which function effectively upto 70% load.  But in the summer months, when the requirement due to air conditioning increases the load to between 80%-85%, the crisis begins and the Board comes into troubleshooting mode.  Ten 33/11 Sub Grid Stations (GSS) are required to meet the needs of power consumption in Udaipur. Each GSS requires 35000-50000 sqft of space.  Accordingly, to accommodate the optimal GSS and transformers, 3.5-5 Lakh sqft of land is essential.

Officers of the UMC do not seem to be comfortable with the question of how to solve the arrangement for power requirements till 2025.  An important question, but the Action Plan is missing. A few officers, though, who seem to be having some thoughts on solving the issue, are not able to convince the UMC and UIT and neither of the administrative bodies are willing to adhere to their suggestions.  Experts opine that smooth and positive coordination between the administrative bodies and AVVNL as well as other departments is need to protect Udaipur from a power shortage in the future.