As the capital prepares for a six-hour scheduled outage on May 10, residents brace for more disruptions in a crisis that shows no signs of resolution.
Sri Vijaya Puram, May 9: The persistent gap between electricity generation and demand has become a major concern for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration, with Sri Vijaya Puram and surrounding areas facing the brunt of a deepening power crisis. Frequent outages, driven by a steadily rising population and booming tourism, have strained both residents and businesses, turning once-occasional disruptions into daily ordeals.
The Wave Andaman has learned that the islands’ continued reliance on diesel-based power plants, coupled with underdeveloped renewable infrastructure, is no longer sufficient to meet demand. “The infrastructure was designed for a much smaller population,” said a retired engineer from the Electricity Department, noting that the system began to falter about five years ago. Where blackouts were once rare, they now stretch into hours, sometimes days, particularly in and around the capital. Hotels, restaurants, and tour operators have been especially hard-hit, with many struggling to meet visitor expectations in the face of unreliable electricity.
An Ageing Grid in a Rapidly Expanding City
Historically, the islands depended on small diesel plants and limited renewable sources, adequate for a previous era. But as urbanization accelerated and the tourism industry expanded, the mismatch between supply and demand became impossible to ignore. Complaints from residents in Sri Vijay Puram began around 2019. Today, average outages last up to 12 hours, especially during peak evening hours. In remote parts like Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar, the situation is more dire: four villages recently experienced prolonged blackouts.
A local official, speaking to The Wave Andaman, attributed the delays partly to poor supervision and alleged negligence by a local officer. Of a 6-km stretch marked for Aerial Bundled Cable (ABC) lines, only 2.5 km have been completed. “Once the project is finished, the current issue of power crisis, if any, will stand resolved,” the official claimed.
At the heart of the problem lies the issue of peak load factor, the system’s inability to cope with spikes in consumption. Diesel plants are slow to ramp up, solar power fades with daylight, and there is no large-scale battery storage in place. A senior department official acknowledged the system’s fragility, saying, “The real issue isn’t just supply, it’s our inability to meet spikes in demand. We are operating without a buffer.”
Long-Term Response and Lingering Doubts
In response to the crisis, the administration has outlined a series of long-term solutions, including major investments to upgrade the electricity grid and incorporate more renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and tidal power. Projects underway include the construction of a major solar park in Sri Vijay Puram and negotiations with private players to introduce advanced wind turbines. Additionally, discussions around tapping tidal energy are gaining traction. However, progress on implementation has been slow, hampered by logistical constraints, procurement delays, and limited institutional capacity. While the roadmap is ambitious, much of it remains on paper, leaving residents unconvinced that change is imminent.
Recent years have seen some progress in renewable integration. In 2020, NLC India Limited commissioned a 20 MW solar power project with an 8 MWh battery storage component in South Andaman, one of the country’s first solar-plus-storage projects in an island setting. However, broader infrastructure upgrades continue to face delays. Central government schemes such as the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) have been extended to the Union Territory, but execution remains uneven.
Immediate steps now include seeking central funding to install emergency backup generators at key facilities such as hospitals and airports. A task force has also been formed to strengthen grid management and reduce outages. Still, public skepticism remains high, with many questioning whether these solutions will arrive in time to make a meaningful difference.
May 10 Shutdown Part of Fragile Transition
Against this backdrop, a planned outage on May 10 is likely to test public patience further. Power supply will be cut from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm in parts of Sri Vijay Puram to facilitate critical infrastructure work. The shutdown will affect Vidhyut Bhawan, the Electricity HQ Office, SVPMC Auditorium, the APWD CE Office, the Secretariat, the Court Complex, PAO, Raj Niwas, and Gandhi Park. According to the electricity department, the outage is necessary to relocate underground cables and replace a damaged electric pole near the APWD NAD Divisional Office. While officials say this work is essential for long-term stability, the six-hour blackout is expected to disrupt workdays for government staff, lawyers, and the general public. Departments have been asked to reschedule operations or ensure backups are in place.
Officials have emphasized that this planned maintenance is part of a broader strategy to modernize the grid, reduce unplanned outages, and prepare for the monsoon season. Public advisories have encouraged residents to charge essential devices, conserve energy, and avoid non-urgent travel during the outage window. Shops and restaurants have been advised to make alternative arrangements to stay operational.
Despite the inconvenience, this planned shutdown represents a shift towards more transparent communication between the administration and the public. Advance notices have been issued across media outlets, official websites, and public spaces to ensure awareness and preparedness.
For now, residents and businesses alike hope this is the beginning of a longer arc of improvement. “The pace of development needs to match the growing population,” said a senior department official, “and infrastructure must evolve to meet future energy needs sustainably and efficiently.” Whether these promises materialize or merely extend the island’s long wait for a stable energy future remains to be seen.
