‘Inadequate reactive power leaves J&K grid gasping for voltage stability’

Srinagar, Jun 4: Deficiency in reactive power support has left the J&K grid gasping for voltage stability—exposing the transmission system of the region as woefully unprepared to meet real-time operational demands.
The severe voltage triggered by insufficient reactive compensation in J&K is raising serious questions about the region’s power reliability.
Northern Regional Power Committee (NRPC) has said, “Due to inadequate reactive compensation in J&K State Transmission Utility (STU) network, severe low voltages have been observed in J&K grid.”
Reactive power compensation is the management of reactive power to improve the efficiency, stability, and power quality of an Alternating current (AC) electrical system.
Last month it was reported that authorities have revealed power voltages in Jammu and Kashmir have slumped to severe low levels.
The authorities earlier had further revealed that key 400kV and 220kV bus voltages across have slumped to severe low levels at 347kV and 178kV respectively—thus raising serious concerns of the power supply.
The NRPC in that meeting had stated that the 400kV as well as 220kV bus voltages at various stations in Kashmir valley are remaining critically low, also reaching 347kV and 178kV respectively.
“The low voltage is a perennial issue, and it has been deliberated in various meetings as well as in the recent meeting held in 2025,” it reads.
It also said, “Further Grid-India in quarterly operational feedback 2025 also highlighted low voltages at 400kV Amargarh, Wagoora and Wanpoh S/s, 400kV voltages are reaching 360kV at Amargarh, Wagoora and Wanpoh substations.”
NRPC also said that due to inadequate compensation in J&K STU network, severe low voltages have been observed in J&K grid.
As already reported by this news agency, Jammu and Kashmir has indicated that a power load requirement of up to 7 Gigawatts (GWs) by the coming five years needs to be considered in the winter season—signalling major infrastructure upgrades to avoid seasonal blackouts. (KNO)