First power distribution perspective plan on its way

A new long-term distribution perspective plan is being drafted by the Ministry of Power to col late details of all power distribution companies( disco ms ). Being prepared by the Central Electricity Authority, the idea is to get a picture of the infrastructure and the investment needed disco m-wise and year-wise till 2021- 22. SHREYAJAI reports

A new long-term distribution perspective plan is being drafted by the Ministry of Power to collate details of all power distribution companies (discoms).

Being prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the idea is to get a picture of the infrastructure and the investment needed discom-wise and year-wise, till 2021-22. The report would be final in three to four months, said ministry officials.

It would complement the efforts by states under the Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana, the centrallysupported scheme for restructuring the debtheavy discoms.

“The Centre has taken up this exercise to attack supply-side constraints in the power sector, to enable India access 24x7 power supply, especially to all in its rural pockets,” Vishal Kapoor, director in the ministry, said at a conference on power transmission & distribution at the PHD Chamber of Commerce.

The sole objective was to ensure uninterrupted and quality supply, he emphasised. This would involve intense interaction with all states and Union territories, addressing issues relating to transformers, substations and the like.

On distribution reforms, ministry officials said the conditions and health of utilities in the segment had begun to improve significantly over a year. “Even the plant load factor of stateowned generating utilities underwent a sea change, with improved efficiencies, as a result of which the tariff (rate) per unit came down by 40 paise,” said the official.