Singapore Power arm to help revamp CESC network

RPG Enterprises flagship CESC Ltd has signed an agreement with Singapore Power subsidiary SP Global Solutions (SPGS) for consultancy support to revamp its distribution network in Calcutta.

CESC, which is undertaking a Rs2,000 crore upgradation programme of its distribution network over the next three to five years, said SPGS would provide consultancy support to build up a strong and reliable network in its licensed area.

''We are now trying to improve the distribution set-up so that we can serve our existing 2 million consumers better and also offer the same quality of service to 80,000 new consumers, who would be joining us this year,'' Sanjiv Goenka, vice-chairman of CESC, said.

Goenka, signed the agreement with Ong Boon Hwee, chief operating officer of Singapore Power and director of SP Global Solutions.

CESC, with its three generating units, ranks among top five power utilities in India and the consultancy project would include strategic planning, technology application and process standardisation, Goenka said.

''CESC is the first major power company in India to induct a world leader in rejuvenating our distribution system, Goenka said, adding, ''It will be for one year now, and if needed the period of association can be increased.''

An analysis by Netherlands-based Kema, using its `System Average Interruption Duration Index', has rated the power distribution system in Singapore as the most reliable in the world, with the shortest power disruption in any city, at 1.14 minutes, Goenka pointed out.

The company stated during a press conference that it had gone for a worldwide survey to find out which city has most reliable distribution system in the world and ended its search with Singapore leading the pack followed by Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul and Melbourne.