ADB loan to help reduce power wastage in Bengaluru
The Bengaluru Smart Energy Efficient Power Distribution Project will progress on with the conversion of overhead distribution lines into underground cables and build an energy-efficient distribution network, reduce technical and commercial losses and minimize electricity outage resulting from natural hazards such as cyclones and external disturbances to overhead lines.
The project is getting US$100 million loan from the Asian Development Bank, an agreement for which was signed on 31 Dec 2020 by Dr. C. S. Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs and Hoe Yun Jeong, Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission.
Beside the US$100 million sovereign loan, ADB will provide a US$90 million without sovereign guarantee loan for the project to Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM), one of five state-owned distribution utilities in Karnataka.
Jeong said that the project demonstrates an innovative financing arrangement, the first of its kind for ADB, by combining sovereign and non-sovereign loans for a state government-owned enterprise. This is intended to significantly reduce the sovereign exposure and help BESCOM move towards a market-based approach for raising funds for capital expenditure.
In parallel to underground distribution cables, over 2,800-km of fibre optical cables will be installed to strengthen communication network. Moving about 7,200 km of distribution lines underground will help reduce technical and commercial losses by about 30%. The fibre optical cables will be used for smart metering systems, distribution automation system (DAS) in the distribution grid, and other communication networks.
The project will install 1,700 automated ring main units adapted with a DAS to monitor and control the distribution line switchgears from the control centre.
The loan will strengthen the capacity of BESCOM in operation and maintenance of underground cabling, environment and social safeguards, financial management and commercial financing. Improved financial management capability will help BESCOM access domestic and international commercial financing market. #banking #tenders #projects #development #debts /fiinews.com
