Reliance Infrastructure Limited (RelInfra), a unit of Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) has been empanelled as the information technology (IT) implementation agency with Power Finance Corporation (PFC), for implementing information technologies in state electricity boards (SEB). RelInfra has earlier been empanelled as an IT consultant (ITC), said the company release.
RelInfra, with its new status as an empanelled IT consultant and IT implementation agency with PFC and can bid for both IT consultancy and implementation for various SEBs as and when they invite the bids for the same. These bids are likely to be floated from May 2009.
The power ministry, through the PFC had envisioned the adoption of IT initiatives in various SEBs, for which it has allocated Rs10,000 crore. The SEBs would be initially getting funds out of this allocation as loans and subsequently would be converted into a grant on successful completion of the defined objectives which include establishing the baseline data for aggregate technical and commercial losses (AT & C) losses through the implementation of IT initiatives.
The SEBs desiring to have allocations out of this funds are expected to undertake IT initiatives as a part of Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (APDRP) and are required to appoint an IT consultant and IT implementation agency empanelled with the PFC.
PFC, the nodal agency for releasing funds under APDRP, has identified systems integrator (lead for IT implementation), GIS, meter data acquisition provider, and network service provider as the four key roles for IT Implementation in SEBs.
Commenting on the development, Lalit Jalan, CEO and a whole time director of Reliance Infrastructure said, ?We have been excited on getting both the prestigious recognitions of being IT consultants and IT implementation agency for PFC to make SEBs IT enabled. This is nothing but the due acknowledgement of what we have already adopted and successfully implemented on our Mumbai and Delhi distribution business?.