A significant power shortage has gripped Sri Vijaya Puram and adjoining areas of South Andaman following the shutdown of the NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (NVVN ) power plant at Chatham. The closure, aimed at facilitating the installation of a new 10 MW power unit at the same site, has triggered a power deficit of nearly 8 to 10 megawatts, disrupting the daily lives of residents, businesses, and government establishments across the region.
This recent shutdown adds to the pre-existing shortage of 3 to 4 MW, amplifying the electricity crisis that local authorities are now trying to manage through a public appeal. In a notice issued on July 30, the Electricity Department called on all consumers, including households, commercial operators, hoteliers, and government agencies, to reduce power consumption during peak hours from 5 PM to 11 PM.
To ease the load on the fragile electricity grid, the department has recommended several immediate measures. Commercial establishments have been urged to turn off air-conditioning units during the evening peak. Similarly, hotels have been requested to run their diesel generators instead of drawing power from the grid, while industrial units are advised to temporarily halt operations between 1700 and 2300 hours.
Officials suggest that without public cooperation, the administration could struggle to balance demand with the limited supply currently available. Although the installation of the new 10 MW power plant at Chatham signals long-term infrastructural improvement, the interim phase is likely to pose operational challenges until the new plant becomes functional.
The energy shortage has prompted fears of prolonged and unscheduled power cuts, which may affect everything from home appliances and retail cooling systems to essential services like healthcare delivery and water supply. While emergency facilities are expected to rely on backup generators, the larger population could face considerable inconvenience if the shortfall persists over the coming weeks.
The current situation has also cast light on the vulnerability of the region’s energy infrastructure, particularly its reliance on a handful of power generation sites. With demand growing steadily due to urbanisation and tourism, the closure of even one plant has now exposed how narrow the supply margins are.
The Chatham plant shutdown is part of an upgrade plan, but the temporary impact of that decision has already begun to reverberate. Reports from residential colonies and market areas suggest frequent voltage fluctuations and increased instances of brownouts over the past few days. Some shopkeepers have expressed concerns about spoilage of perishable goods, especially in grocery and cold storage units.
In the absence of immediate alternative sources, energy conservation is being pitched as the most feasible short-term solution. The department has not mentioned any scheduled load-shedding roster, indicating that unannounced outages may continue during peak hours if power usage is not contained.
Despite the constraints, the department has refrained from enforcing any punitive measures as of now, instead relying on appeals for voluntary compliance. The notice encourages every consumer, whether household, commercial or institutional, to play a part in alleviating the crisis by reducing non-essential consumption.
As temperatures remain high in the region and electricity demand continues to peak during the evening hours, the need for public cooperation has never been more critical. Until the new Chatham unit comes online, the administration may continue to depend on staggered consumption patterns and community solidarity to manage the electricity crunch.
