TP Central Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPCODL) has planned to invest over Rs.250 crore, in a phased manner, in its licensed area in central Odisha.
According to a proposal submitted by TPCODL to Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), the utility has proposed to install smart meters in connections with monthly consumption exceeding 300 kwh (units) and distribution transformers with rating exceeding 100KVA. Besides, all new three-phase connections will also be equipped with smart meters. This will ensure lower AT&C losses and ensure revenue from high-end consumers.
While the actual rollout of smart meters will start during FY22, TPCODL has already started implementation of IT infrastructure in FY21 itself.
During the four-year period ending March 31, 2024, which is FY21, FY22, FY23 and FY24, TPCODL will incur capital expenditure worth Rs.252.23 crore. This investment will be made towards setting up the IT (information technology) infrastructure, and installation of 2,50,000 smart m its licensed area of central Odisha.
During FY21 and FY22, the total expenditure envisaged is Rs.115 crore. This will go towards IT infrastructure and 80,000 smart meters. In the remaining two years—FY23 and FY24—only smart meter installation is envisaged. FY23 will see the installation of 80,000 smart meters with capital expenditure of Rs.67 crore, a total of 90,000 smart meters will be put up in FY24 at an investment of Rs.70.23 crore.
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Overall capex
For FY22, the total capital expenditure envisaged by TPCODL is Rs.567.98 crore. Out of this, a total of Rs.374.69 crore is expected to be capitalized (or turned in operative assets). This expenditure will be made under five broad heads – Statutory & Safety, Loss Reduction, Reliability, Load Growth and Infrastructure.
The “Loss Reduction” component has an allocation of Rs.191.49 crore – the highest among the five broad heads. Of this, Rs.113.04 crore will be spent on replacing old electromechanical meters and defective meters.
Operations
TPCODL – a joint venture between Tata Power (equity: 51 per cent) and Odisha government utility GRICO (equity: 49 per cent) – took over the management and operations of the erstwhile utility CESU. The licensed area of TPCODL is spread over 30,000 sqkm, entailing a population of 1.4 crore and a consumer base of 2.5 million. The command area includes Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Paradip and Dhenkanal. Tata Power took over CESU on June 2, 2020, under a 25-year agreement.
Featured photograph, showing a TPCODL customer care centre, is for illustration only
