Three entities have technically qualified for the smart metering project in the Union Territory of Puducherry. This project is being re-tendered following the annulment of the previous bidding round initiated in January 2024.
It is reliably learnt that three bidders – Apraava Energy, Adani Energy Solutions Ltd and Genus Smart Metering Pvt Ltd – have now qualified on technical basis, and will be considered for opening of price bids.
The price bids were supposed to have been opened last week but there no official information on the results is yet available.
PFC Consulting Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation, is acting as the bid process coordinator for this project, on behalf of Electricity Department, UT of Puducherry.
The selected bidder will act as the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider (AMISP) for a smart metering project in Puducherry, under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
The project envisages installation of 4.07 lakh smart meters covering all the four regions of Puducherry. Most of these meters (around 85 per cent) will be single-phase consumer meters. The remainder would include three-phase consumer meters, feeder meters and distribution transformer (DT) meters. The smart meters will be of prepayment type by default mode but would include post-payment facility in certain cases.
Second attempt
It is important to note that this is the second time that bidding is taking place of the Puducherry smart metering project. In January 2024, PFCCL had initiated the tendering process and had even pre-qualified eight bidders for opening of price bids. However, this bidding process was summarily terminated on February 8, 2024. (Read more)
Also read: Three Qualify For Jaisalmer-Barmer ISTS-TBCB Scheme In Rajasthan
Featured photograph (source: Techno Electric & Engineering) is for representation only.