Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) has entered into agreements with two Gujarat discoms for undertaking advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) projects.
PGCIL has recently signed MoUs with two Gujarat discoms – Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (MGVCL) and Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (UGVCL) – for the implementation of AMI involving the deployment of 6.6 million smart meters.
The project is based on the DBFOOT (design, build, finance, own, operate & transfer) model where PGCIL will invest and receive monthly rentals from the discoms. There is zero investment on part of the discoms under this project, which forms part of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
Pricing of the project, based on the cost-plus mode, will be decided once bids are received from vendors, which will mainly include smart meter manufacturers. Bidding is expected to be completed by end of August 2022.
It is also learnt that the tendering process was delayed as some important changes were made to the standard bidding document (SBD), based on suggestions received from the industry.
PGCIL is in discussion with other state governments for similar projects, it is learnt.
Meanwhile, PGCIL has initiated the procurement process for end-to-end metering solutions for 10 million meters, which possibly includes 6.6 million meters to be deployed in Gujarat.
PGCIL sees a business opportunity of 25 crore smart meters, involving an outlay of Rs.1.5 trillion (lakh crore) under RDSS, which includes gross budgetary support of Rs.22,500 crore.
It may be recalled that Genus Power has received a similar order in Bihar involving 1 million prepaid smart meters, with an outlay of around Rs.830 crore. (Read more)
Featured photograph (source: CPRI) is for representation only
