WCA May 2019

India Insight India

Insight

Use of lead sheathing to continue

INDIAN power and transmission utilities will not be banned from using high voltage power cables containing lead while laying underground transmission lines. Last year, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) called for the power ministry’s intervention, fearing that the use of lead sheathing may lead to environmental degradation and health problems. In its response to the CII representation, the ministry noted: “Lead-sheathed power cable in underground applications is traditionally a widely used product, which is well proved and time-tested. “[While] switching to greener alternatives is an obvious choice to protect the environment and address health concerns,” the ministry continued that power cable manufacturers need to be “encouraged to innovate more, and prove that the alternatives are as rugged and reliable as lead-sheathed cables.”

Vimal Kejriwal, managing director and CEO, KEC International Ltd, added: “It is a known fact that aluminium is prone to corrosion when it comes in contact with water and chemicals, which tilts the balance in favour of lead-sheathed cables, particularly in coastal areas and when chemicals are present in the soil.” It is estimated that 120km of lead-sheathed EHV cable uses around 840 metric tonnes of lead. Confederation of Indian Industry - India Website: www.cii.in Tell us YOUR news. . . To submit news for the India Insight section free of charge, email david@intras.co.uk or call direct on +44 1926 334137.

Bigstockphoto.com “Taj Mahal sunset silhouette in Agra, India” Photographer: David Evison

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