OPTCL workshop on post-Phailin restoration work begins

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 29:

A two-day workshop on “Lessons Learned & Challenges Ahead 2014”, organised by the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) in association with the state Energy department began in the city here today.

The objective of the workshop is to bring together internal and external stakeholders’ perspectives along with such insights and unique experience gained during the post-cyclone power restoration efforts which can be usefully applied to build disaster resilient power systems in future.

It may be noted that in the aftermath of cyclone Phailin followed by unprecedented flood in the state in October last year, the entire power sector personnel took up the challenge and restored power supply within a short time.

The first day of the workshop focused on overview of the disaster management in power sector and deliberations to learn from the past experience and integrated efforts to strengthen the power transmission and distribution system.

Presiding over the inaugural session, chief secretary JK Mohapatra appreciated the team work in effectively handling disaster recovery in the power sector and urged the participants and the panelists to analyse and reflect on past experience and failures if any and recommend measures to build a robust disaster resilient power network.

Among others, Aswini Das, member, Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), Prof Anandha Kumar, NIDM, New Delhi, Dr KL Mishra, CGM, OSDMA, V Ramakrishna, ex-member CEA, Gautam Roy, Director, CEA, N Murugesan, DG, CPRI, Bengaluru, Babunarayan, Power Research Development Consultants, Bengaluru, Dr PG Dhar Chakrabarty, Fellow TERI, New Delhi, specialists of reputed manufacturing companies including L&T Power and Schneider addressed the workshop.

The workshop was attended by directors and senior officers of Energy department, OPTCL, OHPC, GRIDCO, DISCOMS, UNDP and academicians from IIT, Bhubaneswar and Utkal University.

The expected outcome of the workshop is to come out with comprehensive disaster management policy and standard operating procedure to effectively combat natural calamities.