JBVNL to Install Two New Smart Grids in Ranchi Suburbs to Meet Soaring Power Demand

Ranchi: In response to the rapid rise in population and electricity consumption in Jharkhand’s capital, the Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) has intensified efforts to establish two new smart grids in key Ranchi suburban areas.

Proposals for the smart grids in Kusai Colony, Doranda and Doctor Colony, Bariatu have already been forwarded by the Ranchi Area Board to the corporation’s headquarters. According to officials, land identification has been completed and the department has initiated the process to move the projects forward.

Senior JBVNL officials noted that the existing power infrastructure will not be sufficient to handle the city’s future requirements. This summer, peak-hour electricity demand in Ranchi city reached between 360 and 400 megawatts (MW), while the entire Ranchi district recorded a demand exceeding 500 MW.

Department engineers estimate that within the next five years, power demand in the capital could surge to 700–800 MW, and across the district to approximately 900–950 MW.

The two proposed smart grids are expected to provide 200 MW transmission capacity each, adding a total of 400 MW to the city’s power system. This additional capacity will help meet the growing demand while making electricity supply more stable and reliable.

Doranda and Bariatu fall under the bustling suburban belt of Ranchi, including the Namkum region, where new housing societies, commercial activity, and population influx have significantly increased pressure on the existing power infrastructure.

The move is being seen as a timely step to prevent future power crises, especially during summer months when demand traditionally peaks. Local residents have welcomed the announcement, hoping it will translate into fewer power cuts and better voltage stability in the coming years.