Transformer fire at Amona substation cuts power to Sanquelim and Valpoi for 12 hours

A transformer at the Amona 220kV substation in Navelim, Sanquelim, Goa, caught fire following lightning, strong winds and heavy rain in the early hours. The resulting explosion damaged bus bars used for power transmission within the substation, destroyed insulators and completely burnt the transformer oil, rendering the facility non-functional. Power supply to Sanquelim and Valpoi substations was interrupted at around 5am and was gradually restored across affected areas by 5pm, roughly 12 hours later. Fire and emergency services from Bicholim brought the blaze under control. Around 80 to 90 personnel, including engineers and staff, were deployed to carry out restoration work, partly through back-feeding from alternative sources and using balance transformers, since one transformer was extensively damaged. Heavy rain also caused snapped conductors and uprooted poles in some areas. Domestic power was restored first, with industrial consumers expected to receive regular supply only after a further few days.

Lightning strike combined with strong winds and heavy rain in the early hours preceded the transformer fire and explosion; the loss of one transformer left the substation reliant on back-feeding and balance transformers to restore supply.

1. Substations in lightning-prone regions benefit from robust surge and lightning protection systems to reduce the risk of transformer faults during storms.
2. Maintaining spare transformer capacity or rapid back-feeding arrangements can significantly shorten restoration times after equipment loss.
3. Coordinated deployment of large restoration crews and clear prioritisation between domestic and industrial consumers helps manage extended outages efficiently.

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