India’s National Grid Operator “Power System Operation Corporation Ltd (POSOCO)” has announced that it has changed its name to “Grid Controller of India Ltd”.
The change in name has been made to reflect the critical role of grid operators in ensuring integrity, reliability, economy, resilience and sustainable operation of the Indian Electricity Grid.
The name change to “Grid Controller of India Ltd” is a welcome step as it has unique position at the heart of India’s energy system connecting people to the energy they use, noted S. R. Narasimhan, Chairman & Managing Director, Grid Controller of India Ltd. “It explains the functions performed by the grid managers in the country at national and regional levels. The change in name is also to reflect who we are and the role we play in clean energy transition,” he observed.
“We continue to be driven by our vision ‘To be a global institution of excellence for reliable & resilient power systems, fostering efficient electricity markets, promoting economy and sustainability’,” with renewed vigour, he added.
Grid-India: Diverse roles
Grid Controller of India Ltd (Grid-India) operates the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) and five Regional Load Despatch Centres (RLDCs). Grid-India is also designated as the nodal agency for major reforms in the power sector such as implementation and operation of Green Energy Open Access Portal, Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Mechanism, transmission pricing, short term open access in transmission, Deviation Settlement Mechanism, Power System Development Fund (PSDF), etc.
Brief History
In March 2009, the grid management operations of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) were incorporated into a new entity called “Power System Operation Corporation Ltd”, popularly referred to as POSOCO. The grid management operations include the National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC), five regional load dispatch centres and 33 state load dispatch centres. POSOCO was also incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Power Grid Corporation of India. However, in around January 2017, POSOCO was made an independent entity under the Union Ministry of Power. The entire equity capital of POSCO, comprising 30.64 million equity shares of Rs.10 each, was transferred from PGCIL to the Union power ministry, for a total consideration of Rs.81 crore.
It may also be mentioned that in June 2020, the Union ministry of power has directed Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) to hive off its operations as the “Central Transmission Utility” (CTU) into a separate entity. This entity is since officially known as “Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd” (CTUIL).
