After the Delhi government floated a proposal to penalise discoms for unscheduled power cuts, power utilities themselves have now begun to get their act together. Reacting to the proposal, power utilities explained to the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) that reducing power cuts would require a complete shift to the smart grid system and thus, proposed to begin a pilot project on the same.
Bhalswa area in Shalimar Bagh will be the first zone in Delhi to be upgraded to the high-tech smart grid system which would make the entire power infrastructure online. The pilot project was sent to the DERC on March 9 by discom Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) in response to the government’s proposal of imposing penalty on discoms. Earlier this month, the power regulator convened a meeting with discoms to discuss the project.
Speaking to The Hindu , DERC Chairman Krishna Saini said, “The discoms told us that in order to reduce unscheduled power cuts it was essential to upgrade the entire network wherein real-time data could be monitored 24x7. Then one discom came up with a proposal of a pilot project worth Rs. 173 crore which we are actively taking up.”
Officials of TPDDL explained that the upgrade will help consumers track their consumption on a real-time basis. “The scope of work includes shifting the entire fault-prone overhead network into an underground line which is estimated at Rs. 40 crore. Then a low voltage network has to be put in place which will cost about Rs. 80 crore and the remaining balance of the Rs. 173 crore will be used for installing smart metres in the households of the project area – Zone 503 in Shalimar Bagh,” said a TPDDL official.
As of now, the discom has been asked by the commission to observe and record two aspects for a period of three months. “For three months we have to analyse how many faults occur in that zone and how quick is our response and restoration act. After submitting this report, the DERC will take a call on how to manage the funding,” the official added.
