RAPDRP programme to help implement smart-grid technologies

RAPDRP programme to help implement smart-grid technologies
S. C. Bhargava, Senior Vice President and Head, L&T Electrical & Automation discussed how the government was taking necessary steps to bring IT and communication technologies in the distribution sector to ensure transparency and accountability.
Please update us on the status of power distribution sector in India and the need for automation.The power distribution sector in India is plagued with high AT&C losses, leading to poor financial health of the DISCOMs. This calls for immediate need to bring in new automation technologies to reduce the losses and make the sector viable. The Restructured Accelerated Power Development & Reform Programme (RAPDRP) — implemented by the government from the 11th Plan — is understood to be bringing in new automation technologies in the power distribution sector and reduce the losses to 15 per cent over a period of time.
Where do you think the Indian power sector stands today in leveraging cutting-edge automation technologies?Due to the RAPDRP programme, the Indian power sector is well prepared to embrace the cutting-edge technologies as adequate funding to implement the technologies is made available by the government and DISCOMs. The state governments are also showing lots of enthusiasm in implementing these technologies.
Do you think the penetration of automation technology is way below the mark, especially in the power sector? Yes, the penetration of automation technology is below the mark in the government DISCOMs, but the private DISCOMs like R-Infra and NDPL have gone ahead and implemented latest automation technologies. With the RAPDRP programme, the government DISCOMs are catching up with the latest automation technologies.

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