A Gopal Rao, Chairman & Managing Director, TSNPDCL
The Northern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Limited adopted dual power supply system to provide power supply not only to agriculture sector but also to villages located under the limits of all 33/11 KV electric sub-stations, says A Gopal Rao, Chairman & Managing Director, TSNPDCL, in an interview with Jyoti Bhagat of Elets News Network (ENN).
Please brief us on the initiatives undertaken by The Northern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Limited (TSNPDCL) for spreading awareness on energy saving?
TSNPDCL has undertaken several initiatives to spread awareness among the consumers spread across hamlets, villages and towns to save energy. Our stated objective is to be a socially responsible and environment-friendly power business organisation with the best corporate governance practices. To achieve this goal, TSNPDCL has taken several initiatives that include:
i) Distribution of pamphlets on energy saving tips for all consumers.
ii)National energy conservation week is being celebrated during December every year under which consumers are educated on importance of energy conservation.
iii)Energy conservation awareness walk organised in TSNPDCL headquarters.
iv)Energy audit wing under the control of Chief General Manager has been formed consisting of engineers who work to ensure efficient and optimal usage of energy in distribution sector.
v)Providing in house training on Energy conservation to all employees of the Discom
vi)As many as two lakh LED bulbs have been distributed among consumers in villages under UJALA scheme to villages
vii)Motivating HT consumers to procure energy efficient DTRs and allied equipment
viii)Insisting Agriculture consumers to procure energy efficient Pump sets, to follow DSM measures and avoid installing auto starters at the pump sets, providing required rated standard capacitors at their pump sets to compensate the reactive power.
What challenges does TSNPDCL face in the current scenario?
TSNPDCL’s vision is to become the best power distribution utility in the country, with high consumer focus, financial strength and operational efficiency. However, it goes without saying that to transform this vision into a reality, the company faces several challenges, which include:
- Enhanced service quality and customer satisfaction
- Gap between the average cost of supply and average revenue realisation due to non- remunerative tariff structuring
- Strengthening of distribution network for providing quality and reliable uninterrupted 24 hours supply to 59 lakh consumers spread even in forest area.
- Creating awareness among consumers in handling electrical equipment to bring down electrical accidents.
- Realisation of CC bills of BPL consumers, particularly from SC/ST consumers using electricity for more than 101 units, as the State Government is paying bills in respect of said consumers whose monthly consumption is 101 units.
Which are the key areas in the state that have been networked so far ?
TSNPDCL adopted dual power supply system to provide power supply not only to agriculture sector but also to villages located under the limits of all 33/11 KV electric sub-stations.
Arrangements have been made to supply power 24×7 in 33KV network duly providing alternate supply for 814 33-KV substations and about 70 percent of 11-KV towns, mandal headquarters and rural feeders by laying inter linking lines to overcome power interruptions in the 33 KV and 11 KV feeders.
How is TSNPDCL using IT and its allied technologies to empower distribution?
TSNPDCL is using IT in various functionalities of DISCOMS. Since 2006, SAP ERP has been rolled out for FICO , MM and HR modules. Later in 2010, additional modules, i.e., PS, PM modules were also rolled out. Other initiatives include:
- HT & LT billing computerisation.
- LT billing done with GPRS and GPS enabled spot billing machines. SBMs are provided with IRDA port scanner to read IRDA port meters automatically
- Discom portal offers various citizen oriented services like online payment, LT & HT new service registration, information on tariff, complaint registration and plant shutdown, bill information, accident reporting etc.
- Real-time monitoring of feeder interruption by utilising AMR technology.
- The Discom released android / iOS-based mobile app for consumers, which facilitates consumers report electrical incidents, feedback on DISCOM service online payments, online complaint registration etc.
- Mobile app for internal staff utilisation for maintenance works, middle pole erections, GPS based asset and network mapping; new service released, check reading etc.
- Implemented R APDRP part –A (IT) in 22 towns and IPDS – IT phase 2 in 11 towns.
- Implemented SCADA-DMS in Warangal town for improving reliability of power supply.
- Established centralised customer service centre for registration, monitoring and resolving consumer grievances.
- SMS gateway is utilised for sending SMS to consumers on interruptions, bill payment, new service release, etc.
Tell us about the area of implementations and benefits of the National Smart grid mission in the state.
TSNPDCL has installed 10,800 smart meters for government department services and also entered into an MoU with EESL for implementation of 65,000 smart meters for an amount of Rs 28.69 crores.
What is the future road map for TSNPDCL for the next three-five years?
- 101 nos. 33/11 KV substations proposed with an amount of Rs192 Crore.
- Strengthening of 11 KV & LT Rural Distribution network with an amount of Rs 624.47 crore.
- Implementation of RT-DAS project under IPDS with amount of Rs 4.17 Crore. This scheme is covering 32 towns of the Discom. The aim of the project is to obtain real time interruption information, control and calculation of SAIDI/SAIFI.
- ERP implementation- Tender floated for implementation of SAP SOH with an estimated cost of Rs 13.92 Crore
- Proposed to release another 45,000 Agriculture Services under SPA: PE scheme with an amount of Rs 191.25 Crore.
- Entered into an MoU with EESL for implementation of 65,000 smart meters for an amount of Rs. 28.69 Crore. (Rs 7.8 crore GoI grant)
- MoU entered for distribution of 15 lakh LED bulbs to BPL households.
- Proposed to install 40 MW solar power plants at 33/11 KV substations.
- Proposed to install 327 capacitor banks (2/1MVAR).
- To address the economic, operation and service related challenges, as we are looking adoption of new technologies (GIS, CIS and AMI, etc.) for improving efficiencies and customer service, which are expected to impart competitive advantage of utility in long run.
- Meet the consumer expectations in economic and efficient manner by adoption of integrated technologies, which include addition of alternate supplies, automation of system infrastructure and adoption of new digital and communication technologies.