Enhancing the reliability and power quality in Burundian power distribution network: sharing an experience

Burundi (Africa) is having dense population and lesser T&D network. The installed generation capacity as on Sept 2023, is 106.1MW.The total length of T&D line is 511.7 ckt km. REGIDESO ((Régie de Distribution d’Eau et d’Electricité du BURUNDI) is government owned and major power distribution company in Burundi. At some of the places in the existing distribution system, issues of Quality of Power have been raised by customers. To enhance the reliability and quality of power network is being studied through various software so as to be prepared for the upcoming load growth and upliftment of living standard of people. The present paper consists of study case taken for one of the 6.6kV feeders emanating from RN1 110/30/6.6kV substation. Recommendations are made to improve the performance of the existing distribution power system. Some of the suggestions are conventional mitigation practices like harmonic mitigation, power factor improvement. Use of emerging technological solutions are also suggested to increase the power hosting capacity.