Power Ministry likely to issue new norms to promote green transmission cables

18 Mar 2019 Evaluate

In order to protect environment from ill-effects of lead-based equipment, the Power Ministry may issue soon new norms for bringing greener options of electricity transmission cables like aluminium. The Power Ministry and the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) are working on greener options.  Aluminium-based cable sheaths are greener and cheaper alternative than lead and switching to greener alternatives is an obvious choice to protect the environment and health concerns.

As per World Health Organisation estimates, 240 million people globally are overexposed to lead poisoning. The lead-based metallic sheath used in power cables for earthing and anti-corrosion purposes contributes to 35-48% of the weight of cables of voltage levels ranging from 66 kV to 220 kV.

A single kilometer of cable, which weighs about 20 tonne/km has lead content of almost 8 tonne/km. The underground power cables have an average life span of 25-30 years and once they are laid, they are never dismantled.

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