“We spent the last winter in Bulakbashi district, where we live, almost without electricity and gas. In cold weather, they used to say that the electricity was cut off due to the restriction. Nevertheless, even in the hot summer days the electricity is switched off in Bulakbashi.
On July 2, the power supply to the district center was cut off for 3 hours. Especially, entrepreneurs are troubled with the problem in hot days. The products are spoiled, the work is halted.
Complaints about the shortage of power supply have been received from Uchkuprik (Fergana region), Yangikurgan (Namangan region), Andijan city and Altynkul districts (Andijan region).
Currently, abnormally hot weather prevails in Uzbekistan. At this time, electricity is more needed than ever to cool homes and store products.
We asked the officials of the “Regional Electric Networks” in Fergana, Andijan and Namangan regions to comment on the problem.
Azizbek Saydaliev, head of the Fergana Regional Electric Networks Society:
“Currently, there are no restrictions on electricity supply in Fergana region. The problem is that the transformers are overheating due to the sudden heating of the air. Especially in transformers operating in large substations, overheating occurs due to increased load.
The oil inside the transformers is getting boiled, and we are forced to cut it off for 2-3 hours in order to cool it. Interruptions occur only during the day, when the sun is very hot, and there is no problem at night.
If overheating occurs in a transformer attached to a zone, that zone will be disconnected. On July 3, the electricity in some areas of Fergana was also cut off. We have set up a group to monitor the regular supply of electricity.
In addition, power supply will not be provided to the lines, which are being repaired, until the completion of the work,” Saidaliyev said.
Sardorbek Yusupov, Chief Engineer of Andijan Regional Electric Networks:
“The hot weather in the country is increasing the demand for electricity by consumers. This leads to an increase in load on a number of electrical equipment, increased load on the electrical wiring, wire sagging, overheating of transformer substations.
The reason for the interruptions in the region on July 1-2 was an emergency failure of a high-pressure gas pipeline at the “Shurtangaz” complex in Kashkadarya region, which supplies natural gas to thermal power plants. Insufficient natural gas pressure at the power plants has negatively affected the production of electricity at the plants,” Sardorbek Yusupov said.
Muhammadali Iriskulov, head of the dispatch service department of Namangan Regional Electric Networks Enterprise:
“Currently, 12 million kWh of energy is supplied to consumers in the region. Although the overheating conditions of the transformers are being monitored. If the cooling system of the transformers does not cool down due to the voltage in the line, we are solving the issue by installing additional fans,” Iriskulov said.
In the cold season, if there is no gas, it is possible to get rid of the cold by burning fire or other energy source. But it is even harder to deal with the scorching heat. Residents have to “survive” with air conditioners and fans.
These days, temperature is getting hotter, and officials are urging people not to leave their homes unless necessary, they asking to protect patients with chronic illnesses, young children, pregnant women and the elderly. Complaints from the regions say that there are problems with keeping homes cool due to power outages. So, there may be more problems in the power system. In our opinion, energy companies should look for modern and scientific solutions to these problems.
