OREANDA-NEWS. Lays a total network of 602km and commissions 6 distribution sub stations and 85 consumer sub stations in the city in FY 2013-14.

Invests more than Rs300 crore on network infrastructure in FY 2013-14.

Mumbai: Tata Power, India's largest integrated power company, has always been a frontrunner and a pioneer in providing reliable and uninterrupted power to the city of Mumbai. In order to serve its growing consumer base, Tata Power has grown its distribution network infrastructure manifold. Tata Power has invested Rs352 crore of capex and capitalised assets worth Rs300 crore in the last financial year (FY 2013-14), which is a record for the Mumbai distribution business. Its focus has been to develop a robust network backbone, which includes distribution sub stations and a high-tension (HT) network, to be able to cater to the growing market demand, in addition to the development of last-mile connectivity to reach consumer premises. The infrastructure developed in FY14 includes:

Distribution sub stations (DSS) - 33 kV/22 kV/11 kV = six.

HT network = 266km

Consumer sub stations - 11 kV/ 440 V = 85.

Low-tension network = 336km

Tata Power is thus creating a backbone (33kV/11kV) of distribution network, identifying sources or outlets at receiving sub stations (RSS) to feed supply to DSS, establishing connectivity to feed the DSS from identified RSS and creating a 11kV main ring network. The network addition has been achieved against all odds, the most crucial being the loss of four months of fair season for cable laying due to permission-related delays.

Tata Power is also complying with the network rollout philosophy as per the MERC Supply Code Regulations, SOP Regulations and CEA (technical standards for construction of electrical plant and electrical lines) Regulations, 2010. In line with its network development plan, Tata Power plans to further strengthen the backbone infrastructure of the city to cater to its growing consumer base. It plans to set up an additional 30 DSS out of which 17 are planned to be commissioned in the next five years and the remaining 13 DSS post FY 2018-19.

The company is also planning to increase MVA capacity from 1,525 MVA to 2,445 MVA by FY 2018-19. The developed capacity of Tata Power is expected to meet 50 percent of the future Mumbai load while assuming a growth rate of 3 percent pa.

Speaking on these developments, Ashok Sethi, executive director, Tata Power, said, “Over the years, Tata Power has transformed the distribution landscape by offering a plethora of choice to consumers and caters to about 38 percent of Mumbai's requirements. We have empowered Mumbaikars with the 'right to choose' their preferred power supplier and have enabled them to benefit from competitive prices being offered by the different service providers. We have been continuously using technological innovations to overcome space constraints for substations for DSS installations. Tata Power is fully committed to providing a choice to its consumers through its efforts in technological advancement and enhancement in customer services across its licence area.”