The committee of experts on sub-transmission and distribution (ST&D) systems set up by the Union power ministry has recommended a two-tier mechanism for planning, appraisal, implementation and monitoring upgradation of ST&D systems at the state and the Central level.
The committee has said a steering committee and an apex committee need be set up for the purpose, power ministry officials said. According to the recommendations, the steering committee should be established at the state level, headed by a member (distribution) of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) or a chairman and managing director of a transmission and distribution company, along with a chief engineer of a power utility, chief engineer of a zone and a representative of CEA and a funding agency.
The committee should be entrusted with the task of reviewing the formulation of ST&D improvement plans for the various circles in the state and prioritise works for upgradation of systems. It may make recommendations to the apex committee on T&D schemes of the circle in the state, according to the panel.
More From This Section
The apex committee should be headed by a member of CEA and consist of chairman/member (distribution) or chairman and managing director of a utility and should have representatives form state governments, power ministry, Planning Commission and funding agencies.
The apex committee would be required to look into techno-economic appraisal of ST&D schemes carried out by CEA, the availability and tie-up of funds, and review of implementation programme for upgradation of ST&D systems. The committee would have to carry out a techno-economic appraisal of the ST&D schemes to ensure that financial resources are optimally utilised. It would also need to coordinate with the ministry of power, Planning Commission and funding agencies, as per the recommendations.
The expert panel, which was headed by the CEA chairman, has outlined the primary task in tackling the ST&D problems as reducing commercial losses, which would provide an immediate increase in revenue to the utility. For this, the process of 100 per cent metering needs to be accelerated, it has suggested. Reduction in technical losses, which can be consequently carried out will provide both additional energy and revenue to the utility, the panel has said.
The high voltage distribution system (HVDS) -- in most states the system would comprise 11 kv, 3 phase, 50 cycle systems -- is the effective solution for reduction of technical losses, prevention of theft, improved voltage profile and better services, the committee has suggested.
All the new schemes should be of HVDS and changeover of existing distribution systems to HVDS should be done to the maximum feasible extent in a phased manner, it has said.
The committee has recommended that the national level review of energy and audit should be entrusted to the CEA with responsibility to review the state-level energy accounting and audit reports, sample check circle level reports in consultation with states, update and improve energy accounting and audit procedures etc.
According to the recommendations, ST&D schemes should be formulated and implemented for a well-demarcated self-contained unit like a "circle" and covering a time horizon of five years.
The circle as a unit for development activities of ST&D should also function as a profit centre -- initially in terms of reduction of losses, improved billing and revenue collection, and ultimately in financial terms, the panel has said.