— Ramesh Narayanan,
CEO, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd
Part of Reliance ADA Group,
BSES Yamuna Power Ltd took on
power distribution in east and central Delhi from Delhi Vidyut Board
in July 2002. BYPL has successfully transformed power distribution
in its command area from a state of disarray and anarchy at the
time of takeover, to a world-class service today.
Ramesh Narayanan takes us through these ten eventful years and
asserts that BYPL's AT&C losses in the coming years would even
be lower than internationally-acclaimed standards. An interview by
Venugopal Pillai.
What were the biggest challenges facing BYPL when it took
over power distribution of East & Central Delhi in July 2002?
The biggest challenge was to arrest the AT&C losses then
ruling at 63.1 per cent. Operationalizing our assets was our
first concern. Besides this, we emphasized on revamping the
entire network and IT-enabling the systems for 100 per cent
electrification. Since privatization, we introduced a number of
customer-friendly initiatives and deployed modern
technologies, while focusing on our customers.
After ten years of success what do you consider as the biggest
achievements of BYPL?
I would say it is the electrification of all 600 unauthorized
colonies leading to 100 per cent electrification of the BYPL
area. We reached out to the poorest of the poor with legal
connections. We revamped the entire network with state-ofthe-
art IT enabled systems and with 100 per cent metering.
Today, we are emerging as the control centre powering Delhi's
policy makers, media houses, law and order officials. The
successful completion of the Commonwealth Games (CWG)
with no power glitches at the venue and CWG village is one of
our major achievements. We also supply power to the longest
network of the DMRC metro in Delhi.
By providing quality power support to DJB's water treatment
plant at Sonia Vihar and various pumping stations, we have
ensured regular water supply to entire Delhi.
You said that ATC losses ruled at over 60 per cent at the time of
takeover. How have they come down over the past ten years?
For BYPL, 100 per cent electrification and metering at input and
output points has helped us bring down our AT&C losses.
BYPL has set a world record in reducing the AT&C loss by
over 45 per cent in last 10 years. In next few years, we are
targeting to bring the loss level to even below that of developed
European countries. AT&C levels of US are 7.6 per cent, while in
UK it is 8.2 per cent and Japan, 5 per cent.
At present BYPL's loss level is around 17.8 per cent.
Hopefully, by next year Russia with current loss levels of 14.8
per cent will be trailing us.
How has the peak demand grown in the East & Central Delhi
region? Does BYPL's command area face peak demand
shortages?
In Delhi, peak demand met has almost doubled from 2,879 mw
to 5,642 mw over the past decade. Since privatization, we have
also enhanced our distribution network to proportionately
meet the increased demand from 798 mw in 2002 to 1,461 mw
in 2012.
Due to proper planning, we have successfully provided
power to our 12.3 lakh customers consistently without facing
any shortages.
Tell us specifically about how commercial losses in the form of
power theft, un-metered connections, "free power" and underrecoveries
are being controlled by BYPL?
It is through electrification and metering at each and every
point. We, at BYPL revamped the outdated, outlived and
dilapidated network into a state-of-the-art network.
Deployment of technology helped identify and close any such
gaps. Regular energy audits, billing through SAP, control
through SCADA, GIS etc are a few of the initiatives which we
have undertaken.
In a general sense, privatization of power distribution-despite
bringing techno-commercial efficiency-has not taken off in a
big way in India. What is your view and what could be possible
solutions?
In India, there is no dearth of politicians. But there are very few
leaders with the political will for sustained development.
Hence, the sector reforms are delayed in many states.
Is lack of political will the biggest hindrance?
I agree. In fact an all-India dip-stick survey was taken today, an
overwhelming number would vote for PPPs in power
distribution for better management, apart from responsive and
reliable power supply.
Please discuss the preparedness of BYPL in moving towards
Smart Grid, or a Smart Grid-like situation, in future.
We are at an advanced stage of preparedness. I believe that
there are 5 basic pillars for a Smart Grid. There are electronic
records and billing through SAP-ISU, SAP ERP. Then there is
GIS, SCADA, DMS (Distribution Management System) and AMI
(Advanced Metering Infrastructure). We have successfully
implemented the first four.
Since the specifications for smart meter are still being
developed, thus the power distribution utilities are conducting
pilots to test the efficacy of the same.
Untitled Document
Delhi's Peak Demand Met |
| |
MW |
| 2002 |
2,879 |
| 2003 |
3,097 |
| 2004 |
3,289 |
| 2005 |
3,490 |
| 2006 |
3,626 |
| 2007 |
4,030 |
| 2008 |
4,034 |
| 2009 |
4,408 |
| 2010 |
4,720 |
| 2011 |
5,028 |
2012 |
5,642 |
What are the important steps taken by BYPL in
introducing/enforcing energy conservation and efficient
energy consumption by its consumers?
We at BYPL have undertaken many initiatives to promote and
enforce energy conservation among our customers. The
company has been working closely with stakeholders to
successfully promote the message of energy conservation. Some of our recent initiatives are:
Introduction of REAP: Together with IIT-Delhi, BYPL team
introduced renewable energy assisted pump (REAP), the off
grid water and power solution for urban and rural India. This
solar energy assisted pump is an eco-friendly, energy efficient
and cost effective device that can meet the water pumping and
storage needs of urban and rural India. In addition REAP can
prove to be an effective demand side management tool. In fact,
a short film "REAP the sun" is also available on youtube.
My Cool Idea: Delhi's power demand is scaling new peaks
every other week - touching 5,642 mw, its highest ever, on July
5, 2012. Simple everyday ideas will not only help conserve
energy, but also help save money in the process. We at BSES
rolled-out "My Cool Idea", a campaign that engages customers,
eliciting 'cool' ideas and suggestions to reduce power
consumption and encourage energy conservation.
Bijli Gyan Abhiyan: Public awareness films on electricity
safety (Zaheera ka Sapna) and power conservation (Khurana
Gharana) were produced. The best method of spreading
awareness about energy conservation is to impart "gyan" to
children. 'Catch them young' has guided BSES and to address
this objective and to further broad base its emphasis on Energy
Conservation, BSES launched Bijli Gyan Abhiyan-a mammoth
initiative targeting thousands of students across hundreds of
schools spread across its licensed area. Winners of the Bijli
Gyan Abhiyan were given prizes by the Delhi Chief Minister and
her Cabinet colleagues.
Both these films are being aired at meetings with RWAs.
These informative films will also be shared with schools in the
BYPL area. For mass awareness, BYPL has also uploaded these
films on youtube.
Tell us about your initiatives for electric cars and rickshaws.
BYPL launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to recognize and
facilitate those who use electric cars. In BYPL area, a total of
31 charge ports have been installed together with Mahindra
REVA.
Additionally, BYPL and HBL Power System Ltd signed an
agreement to promote 'Pedi Cabs' on the eve of World
Environment Day this year. Pedicabs are eco-friendly, 100%
smoke-free battery charged rickshaws. As part of the
agreement, BYPL will provide e-charging infrastructure
facilities for 'Pedi Cabs'.
These eco-friendly 'Pedi Cabs' have been designed and
promoted by Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
through one of its premier national R&D Laboratory—Central
Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI).
What are your other green initiatives?
To popularize the adoption of CFLs, BYPL, over the years has
conducted CFL promotion drives with Indo Asian, Finolex and
Osram to provide Delhites with energy efficient CFLs at
subsidized price. The schemes saw over 1.8 lakh CFLs sold by
BYPL.
Other initiatives include use of fly-ash bricks for the
construction of green grid sub-stations; and conversion of 987
sq meters terrace space to white roof for reducing "urban
island heat effect."
Our initiatives have been recognized the world over with
BYPL recently being awarded the prestigious British Safety
Council Award in London. Come September, BYPL will be
conferred another recognition the Leadership Award for
Climate Change in the august British House of Commons in
London by the Indo-British Business Forum.
Please summarize key goals that BYPL would like to attain in
the next five years.
We are gearing up to meet the proportionate power demand of
over 8,000 mw in 2017 (as per CEA's Electric Power Survey of
India) and 12,000 mw (as per draft of Delhi master plan) by
2020.
Apart from that, we, at BYPL, plan not only to implement
many initiatives to reduce the loss levels at par with developed
countries but also to provide the best of services and
infrastructure to our customers.
Our endeavor has always been to introduce technology
which will define the modern utility approach in the sector. We
aim to be the fountainhead to promote best resources,
processes and management approached for the utility sector in
the country in particular and world in general.