Guwahati: Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) has upgraded Assam’s New Mariani sub-station from 220 kV switching station to a 400/220 kV sub-station with 2x500 MVA transformation capacity, 2x125 Mega volt ampere (re- active) power compensation along with other associated bays under North Eastern Region Strengthening Scheme (NERSS-VI) project.

It has now become the first 400 kV sub-station of upper Assam and is expected to serve as a key station for catering to augmentation of power in the entire Northeastern region. "This capacity addition will add efficiency and robustness, leading to supply of reliable power", the Ministry of Power noted in a release on Thursday.

In March 2013, the New Mariani sub-station was commissioned with 20 MVAR reac- tive power compensation capacity. With this upgradation, connectivity at 400 kV voltage level between sub-stations at New Mariani (in Assam), Kohima (in Nagaland), and Misa (in Assam).

"The project has been commissioned timely despite limitations in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, difficult soil and weather conditions", the government release noted, adding, "The bays and additional 400 kV D/C line section for upgradation of Misa-New Mariani line from 220 kV to 400 kV level are now under commercial operation."

In a related development, POWERGRID on November 17 organized a state-level painting competition on “Energy  Conservation 2023” in Guwahati. This competition was initially organized in association with the Assam's department of education. Over 17 lakh students from 19,000 schools across Assam took part in this competition. The winners of the contest took home lucrative prizes.

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