GMR Smart Electricity Distribution Company secures Rs.7,593 Crores order for Smart Metering Project – EQ Mag
New Delhi : GMR Smart Electricity Distribution Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of GMR Power and Urban Infra Limited (GPUIL) has been awarded a prestigious order worth Rs.7,593 crores to implement a large-scale smart metering project under the RDSS program- a timeline-based reforms plan initiated by the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
The order, received under the DBFOOT (Design, Build, Finance, Own, Operate, and Transfer) model, entails 75.69 lakh prepaid smart meters across two discoms Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (DVVNL) and Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited (PuVVNL), making it the largest combined package order of its kind.
The scope of the project encompasses the design, supply, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of prepaid smart meters infrastructure covering consumer premises, as well as at the network level, including distribution transformers and feeders for an aggregate period of 10 years, supported by cutting-edge technology and software solutions, ensuring end-to-end automated system management. Installation of smart meters will majorly contribute to the turnaround journey of the power distribution sector by eliminating billing and collection losses and thereby enhancing the financial sustainability of the discoms.
The project will span 22 districts covering prominent areas such as Varanasi, Prayag Raj, Agra, Mathura, and Aligarh among others.
Commenting on the wins, Mr. Srinivas Bommidala, Chairman – Energy, GMR Group, said “These wins underscore GMR’s commitment to pivot into green and technology-based energy business with customer-centric growth strategy. With this mandate, GMR group makes its entry into the B2C business in the power sector at a substantial scale and will create value for GPUIL shareholders. We consider this as a good beginning for our Energy 2.0 strategy of new growth business areas in the Power Sector and have plans in the offing for further initiatives in this space.
ABOUT GPUIL
GMR Power and Urban Infra Limited (GPUIL) is part of GMR Group. It holds expertise in the sectors of Energy, Urban Infrastructure, and Transportation.
GMR’s energy businesses have an installed capacity of over 3,000 MW capacity. With a significant focus on green energy, the company is working towards creating a more sustainable environment by harnessing the power of wind, water, and sun for energy generation. It has a balanced mix in its energy generation portfolio. Around 1,000 MW of clean energy projects of GPUIL are under various stages of development in India and Nepal.
The Transportation and Urban Infrastructure division focuses on surface transport projects including Roads, Railways, and Airstrips/ Runways in both DBFOT (under GMR Highways) and EPC (under GIL – EPC) segments. The Group has four operating highway assets spanning over 1,824 lane kilometers.
GMR’s EPC business is working on the design and construction of the prestigious Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor project of DFCCI (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India). GMR is also developing multi-focus Special Investment Regions in India.
GMR Group’s underlying philosophy is to work closely with and support the local communities wherever it is present. Towards this, GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF), the CSR arm of the Group, focuses on improving the quality of life of people by enhancing skills, providing education, and developing healthcare infrastructure and services.
GMR Group is a leading global infrastructure conglomerate with unparalleled expertise in designing, building, and operating airports. GMR Airports Limited, a subsidiary of GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited [formerly known as GMR Infrastructure Limited] (GIL) has Groupe ADP as its strategic partner, which is holding a 49 percent stake. GMR Airports is the largest private airport operator in Asia and 2nd largest in the world with a passenger handling capacity of over 189 million annually.
