Sri Vijaya Puram, South Andaman — July 30, 2025
A significant power shortage has gripped South Andaman following the shutdown of the 5 MW NVVN power plant at Chatham, which has been taken offline to facilitate the installation of a new 10 MW facility at the same site. The move, while aimed at long-term capacity enhancement, has exacerbated an already strained power supply situation in the region.
According to local authorities, the closure of the Chatham plant has resulted in an immediate shortfall of 5 MW, adding to an existing deficit of 3–4 MW. The cumulative shortage of 8–10 MW is affecting Sri Vijaya Puram and surrounding areas, prompting the Electricity Department to issue an urgent appeal for responsible energy consumption.
In a public advisory, residents, commercial establishments, government offices, and hospitality businesses have been urged to conserve electricity, particularly during peak hours from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Specific measures include:
- Commercial outlets switching off air conditioning units
- Hotels operating diesel generator sets during peak hours
- Industrial units suspending operations between 1700 and 2300 hrs
The department emphasized that these steps are critical to mitigating the crisis until the new plant becomes operational. Meanwhile, rotational load shedding continues across affected zones, with restoration timelines dependent on infrastructure upgrades and fault repairs.
The administration has also reiterated its commitment to long-term energy planning, including proposals for a 50 MW power plant to meet rising demand across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
