R-APDRP

Author: G. Vishnu (MBA-10 th Batch, NPTI, Faridabad)

INTRODUCTION

Ministry of Power, Govt. of  India, as a part of Reforms  in  the Power Sector, has  launched  the Restructured  Accelerated  Power Development  and  Reforms  Programme  (R-APDRP) as a Central sector scheme on July, 2008. The focus of the program is on the actual demonstrable performance in terms of AT&C  loss  reduction,  establishment  of  the  reliable  and  automated  sustainable  systems  for  collection  of  base  line  data,  adoption  of  information  technology  in  the  areas  of  energy accounting, consumer care and strengthening of Distribution network of State Power Utilities. The  scheme  also  envisage establishment  of  supervisory  control  &  data  acquisition  system/  distribution  management system in large towns, capacity building, incentive scheme for distribution personnel etc.

Total programme size – 51,577 cr

        GoI grant component for Part-A: Rs.10,000 Cr (Max)

        GoI grant component for Part-B: Rs.20,000 Cr (Max)

        PFC / REC Loan for Part-B:        Rs.20,000 Cr (Min)

Power  Finance  Corporation  Limited  (PFC) has  been  designated  by  Ministry  of  Power, Government  of  India  as  the  Nodal  Agency  for  operationalization  of  the  programme.  PFC  is supported/ advised by  various  consultants  for  implementing  the  programme. Third  Party  Independent  Evaluation Agencies  for  Energy Accounting (TPIEA-EA) under  R-APDRP  have been appointed to  establish/verify  AT&C  losses  including  annual  verification  of AT&C  losses  of  the  project  areas  and  state  power  utilities/distribution  companies  to  achieve the programme objective of AT&C loss reduction in the specified project areas/ state.

PROGRAM COVERAGE

• It is proposed to cover urban areas – towns and cities with population of more than 30,000 (10,000 in case of special category states).
• In addition, in certain high-load density rural areas with significant loads, works of separation of agricultural feeders from domestic and industrial ones, and of High Voltage Distribution System (11kV) will also be taken up.
• Further, towns / areas for which projects have been sanctioned in X Plan, R-APDRP shall be considered for the XI Plan only after either completion or short closure of the earlier sanctioned projects.
• Implementation period for Part A and Part B projects is 3 years and 5 years from date of sanction.
• Private distribution utilities are not covered under the programme and to be reviewed after two years from the date of approval of R-APDRP.

PROPOSED SCHEME

Projects under the scheme shall be taken up in two parts. Part-A shall include the projects for establishment of baseline data and IT applications for energy accounting/auditing & IT based consumer service centres. Part-B shall include regular distribution strengthening projects. The activities to be covered under each part are as follows:

Part – A: It includes

• Consumer Indexing, Asset Mapping
• GIS Mapping of the entire distribution network
• Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) on Distribution Transformers & Feeders
• Automatic Data Logging for all Distribution Transformers and Feeders
  • SCADA/DMS in big towns / cities (with population > 4 lakh & energy input > 350 MU)
  • Feeder Segregation / Ring Fencing
  • Establishment of IT enabled customer service centres
  • Establishment of the Base Line data System

Part – B: It includes:

• Renovation, modernization and strengthening of 11 kV level Substations, Transformers/Transformer Centres
• ·Re-conductoring of lines at 11 kV level and below
• Load Bifurcation, Load Balancing
• HVDS (11kV)
• Installation of capacitor banks and mobile service centres etc.
• Aerial Bunched Conductors in populated areas
• Strengthening at 33 kV or 66 kV level.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR R-APDRP ASSISTANCE

The States / Utilities will be required to:

1)    Constitute the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

2)    Achieve the following target of AT&C loss reduction at utility level:

• Utilities having AT&C loss above 30%: Reduction by 3% per year
• Utilities having AT&C loss below 30%: Reduction by 1.5% per year

3)   Commit a time frame for introduction of measures for better accountability at all levels in the project area

4)   Submit previous year’s AT&C loss figures of identified project area as verified by an independent agency appointed by Ministry of Power      (MoP) by 30th June; the independent agency would verify that:

• All input points are identified and metered with downloadable meters for energy inflow accounting in scheme area.
• All outgoing feeders are to be metered in substation with downloadable meters.
• Scheme area should be ring fenced i.e. export and import meters for energy accounting shall be ensured besides segregating the rural load of the scheme area by ring fencing if not on separate feeder.
• The above shall provide the input energy and corresponding cash collected for calculating AT&C losses. The same shall be carried out for at least for three billing cycles and got verified by the independent agency. This loss level will be the baseline for considering conversion of loan into grant for Part B projects.

5)      Devise a suitable incentive scheme for staff linking to achievements of 15% AT&C loss in the project area.

FUNDING SCHEME OF THE PROJECT:

Under the scheme funds will be directly released to Distribution Utilities

1)    GoI will provide 100% Loan for part A of the R-APDRP schemes.

2)    GoI will provide up to 25% (90% for special category States) Loan for Part B of the R-APDRP schemes.

3)    The entire loan from GoI will be routed through PFC/REC (FIs) for the respective schemes funded by them.

4)    The counterpart funding will be done by PFC/REC (FIs) as per its prevailing policy.

5)    PFC / REC will be the prime lender for funding these schemes. In case of default by the utility the commercial loan of PFC / REC will be recovered first (being the primary Lender) before that of any other lender for funding such schemes.

CONVERSION OF GoI LOAN TO GRANT:

1)    The entire amount of GoI loan (100%) for part A of the project shall be converted into grant after establishment of the required Base-Line data system within a stipulated time frame and duly verified by TPIEA.

2)    Up to 50% (90% for special category States) loan for Part-B projects shall be converted into grant in five equal tranches on achieving 15% AT&C loss in the project area duly verified by TPIEA on a sustainable basis for a period of five years.

3)    If the utility fails to achieve or sustain the 15% AT&C loss target in a particular year, that year’s tranche of conversion of loan to grant will be reduced in proportion to the shortfall in achieving 15% AT&C loss target from the starting AT&C loss figure.

RESPONSIBILITIES FLOW DIAGRAM: 

NODAL AGENCY

PFC will act as Nodal Agency to provide single window service under R-APDRP

• PFC will coordinate with agencies involved such as MoP, APDRP Steering Committee, CEA and various Consultants for speedy and timely completion of projects and thus assist the utilities achieving loss reduction targets.
• As Nodal Agency, PFC will have overall responsibility of Implementation of Programme.
• Provide necessary support to APDRP Steering Committee and MoP.
• Finalisation of biddable SRS document, model DPRs for Part A projects etc.
• PFC will recommend projects for sanction to APDRP Steering Committee.
• Scrutiny & vetting of DPRs for Part A & B.
• Scrutiny of claims & recommendation to MoP for conversion of loan to grant and Release of grants to Utilities.
• Monitoring of implementation of Part A & B.
• Random inspection of works (Part B).
• Examining & recommending deviations.
• Establishment of base line data and evaluation  of yearly AT&C loss by Independent Evaluators.
• Certification of work completion (A & B).
• Empanelment of IT consultants and IT  Implementing agency to assist Utilities.
• Creation and maintenance of web based MIS.
• Capacity building of utilities & awareness through workshops etc.

PROCESS CONSULTANT

M/s KPMG was appointed as the Process Consultant on 23.10.2008

• Process Consultant will assist Nodal Agency for Finalization of System Requirement Specification (SRS) and convert it into a  biddable document for use by utilities for base line data collection system.
• Developing the methodology for establishing base line data system.
• Empanelment of IT consultants for Part A.
• Empanelment of IT Implementing Agencies for Part A.
• Short listing and appointment of Third Party Independent  Evaluation Agencies (TPIEAs).

IT CONSULTANT

IT Consultants are appointed by following a limited tendering process from the Panel of IT Consultants shortlisted by the Nodal agency.

IT Consultants will assist the Utilities:

• To customize project level Bid Documents for Part-A, meeting the requirement of specific utility and comprising of

a)    Utility IT mapping, segregation of feeders

b)   Geographical area/ feeders to be covered for IT implementation

c)    Provision for increased customer satisfaction

• Program management during implementation phase.

IT IMPLEMENTATION AGENCY

IT Implementation Agency are appointed by following a limited tendering process from the Panel of IT Implementation Agencies shortlisted by the Nodal agency.

IT Implementation Agencies will assist Utilities:

• To Implement the IT related schemes in the defined area/ feeders as per scope and terms and condition stipulated by the Utility/ IT Consultant.
• Supply, install, commission necessary infrastructure ( hardware, software, network, etc.)

ITIAs have been divided into         SI — System integrator

                                                            GSP – GIS Solution Provider

                                                            MDASP — Meter Data Acquisition Solution Provider

                                                            NSP – Network Solution Provider                       

THIRD PARTY INDEPENDENT EVALUATION AGENCIES (TPIEAS)

TPIEAs shall be appointed by Nodal Agency after their empanelment by the Process Consultant.

TPIE Agencies will act as independent third party agency for:

• Establishing base line data (initial loss level in the system).
• Annual project wise verification of yearly loss levels against the benchmark parameters.
• Assessment of claims for conversion of loan into grant for Part-A and Part-B projects.
• Submission of periodic reports to Nodal Agency.

WEB BASED IMS

Creation of Web based comprehensive  MIS and monitoring system for R-APDRP. It will include:

• The objective and coverage of the program
• The policy guideline of the program.
• Status of DPRs submitted, sanctioned etc.
• Status of Project Progress ( Physical & financial)
• Scheme wise Benchmark parameters

PREPARATION AT UTILITY LEVEL FOR THE “R-APDRP”

• Identification of the Project areas i.e. towns having population more than 30,000. Rural areas with heavy loads requiring feeder segregation may also be included in the project areas
• The ring fencing of the project area to measure energy flow should be initiated at the earliest
• The utilities should be able to measure the inflow and outflow from the project area
• The corresponding revenue collection should also be determined separately
  • The energy flow to the project area and corresponding revenue collection should be verifiable by the independent agency appointed by MoP
  • Dedicated IT Cell in each utility
  • Training of utility staff to handle extensive IT component in re-structured APDRP

TIME OF THE DAY (ToD) CONSULTANT

CONSULTANT: M/s CPRI has been appointed on 06.09.2010

Role of ToD Consultant

• Study the ToD metering & tariff experiences in India(if any) and other countries, and further scope for implementation in various States and Union Territories of India inter alia including
    a) Present status of ToD metering in Indian Power Distribution sector. 
    b) Future roadmap for implementation of ToD metering in India.

CAPACITY BUILDING

Capacity Building has been identified as an essential requirement as part of the R-APDRP scheme. As part of this training is to be imparted to the employees of the Distribution Utilities in management, technical, commercial and consumer related areas, and exposure to the latest developments in electricity distribution, loss reduction, theft and pilferage control within India and abroad.

CONSULTANT:  M/s Feedback Ventures has been appointed on 09.09.2009

Role of Capacity Building Consultant:

• To formulate strategy document for “Implementation of Capacity Building under R-APDRP”.
• To collect data from different power utilities, identify themes, programme types, programme duration & delivery institutions etc for capacity building in line with the needs & objectives of R-APDRP.
• To prepare business plan and suggest road map of action plan to achieve the defined objectives.
• To suggest and identify means, strategies, manpower & skills required, infrastructure and IT needs etc.
• To provide support to the operation group of Capacity Building in PFC.

Resource Institutes (RIs) – for the development of Course Content and Training of Trainers (ToTs) have been empanelled for the identified themes for A&B and C&D categories of employees under the Program.

 National Power Training Institute has been appointed as Resource Institute (RI) for Course content development for the following themes:

a)    Best Practices in Distribution Operations & Management System

b)    Disaster Management, Electrical Safety Procedures & Accident prevention

 

Other Resource Institutes are CDAC, CIRE, CPRI, ESCI, IIT-D, IIM-L, IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Roorkee, NPC   

           

 

Partner Training Institutes (PTIs) – have been empanelled for delivering training to the Distribution Utility personnel.

 National Power Training Institute has been appointed as Partner Training Institute (PTI) for Distribution Utility personnel in respect of the following themes:

a)     IT General

b)    Regulatory

The empanelled list has 10 PTIs for A&B category of employees and 22 PTIs for C&D category of employees.

Some of the PTIs are CIRE, CPRI, ESCI, GE Energy, NDPL, REMI, KSEB, MPMKVVCL,  MSEDCL, TANGEDCO.

 

List of THEMES under R-APDRP Capacity Building

1.   IT General                

2.   IT in Distribution      

3.   GIS Applications                 

4. SCADA & Smart Grid Application
5. R-APDRP Awareness       

6. Best Practices in Distribution Operations & Management System
7. Distribution Equipment – Technology and Applications         

8. Disaster Management, Electrical Safety Procedures and accident Prevention
9. Lineman Training – Operation & Maintenance of Sub-stations          

10. Change Management in Power Distribution    

11. Efficiency Improvement Measures in Distribution System     

12. Financial Management of Distribution Business

13. General Management in Power Distribution

14. Revenue Management & Loss Reduction

15. Metering technology & AMR Application           

16. Communication & Soft Skills       

17. Performance benchmarking and quality of supply and service

18. Material Management & Quality Assurance

19. Regulatory   

PRESENT STATUS of R-APDRP Scheme

The present status of R-APDRP scheme is as under:

• Under Part-A of R-APDRP, 1,402 projects at an estimated cost of Rs.5,196.53 Cr have been approved for 29 States/UTs and Rs.1,578.67 Cr have been disbursed.
• Part-A SCADA projects for 62 towns of 14 states have also been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs.1426.93 Cr and Rs.276.30 Cr have been disbursed. 
• Under Part-B of R-APDRP, 1084 projects at an estimated cost of Rs.24,776.18 Cr have been approved for 20 States and Rs.3,398.32 Cr have been disbursed.  
• Barring one state (Haryana), all Part A projects have been awarded and are under implementation.

RECOMMENDATIONS of WORKING GROUP on POWER for 12^th PLAN

PROPOSED SCOPE AND INVESTMENTS FOR R-APDRP

• Eligibility criteria for inclusion of towns under R-APDRP assistance with population of 30,000 (10,000 for special category states) should be reduced to 15,000 (5,000 for special category states).
• All district headquarter towns in special category states should also be covered under R-APDRP, irrespective of their population.
• Underground Cabling works for the Towns under R-APDRP especially religious and tourist importance in view of aesthetics and safety aspects.
• The R-APDRP cell be strengthened by taking up more manpower and the Ministry may do this at the cost of 1% of the total scheme outlay.

The scope of the scheme may be expanded to cover more towns by lowering the population thresholds currently existing. Intensive coverage will bring in uniformity to the billing and customer services of the utility across all its service areas. Thus, it is recommended that:

• Non Special Category States – Additional towns with population between 15,000 and 30,000
• Special Category States – Additional towns with population between 5,000 and 10,000
• SCADA – Additional towns with population of greater than 200,000 and annual input energy of more than 175 MUs

INVESTMENT ESTIMATES FOR REVISED THRESHOLDS

      The additional investments for the above thresholds have been estimated on the basis of the projects sanctioned for R-APDRP during the XI Plan are as under:

S. No.	Particulars	Amount (Rs. Cr.)
1	Part-A  (1289 towns)	Rs.2,610 Cr
2	Part-B  (1289 towns)	Rs.11,892 Cr
3	SCADA (76 towns)	Rs.1,368 Cr
4	Total estimated additional investment	Rs.15,870 Cr

SHUNGLU COMMITTEE REPORT

ASSESSMENT of R-APDRP Scheme

• Technical definition of R-APDRP should be relaxed and all areas peripheral to R-APDRP towns ought to be covered under the scheme.
• Sequencing – The time taken in addressing the preliminary issues is so long that very little capital expenditure has taken place. PFC data shows that so far only Rs 3900 Cr have been disbursed and most of it has been expended on Part-A of the scheme.
• Outsourcing –No clear delineation between what are the functions that ought to be performed by the utilities and what all functions need to be outsourced.
•  Meter reading still being done manually in spite of installation of meters at 33KV sub-station and 11KV feeders.
• Energy accounting, auditing and accountability should commence immediately on the basis of the sub-station, the feeder and unique consumer number.

RECOMMENDED PLAN OF ACTION to achieve financial viability in distribution of power by 2017

1. R-APDRP scheme should be extended to next plan period.
2. Apply to all towns above  30,000 population based on census 2011.
3. Extended to all peripheral areas of R-APDRP towns/cities.
4. Activate energy accounting on the basis of meters installed at 33 KV sub-stations and  11 KV feeders based on the existing consumer database.
5. Replace existing non-electronic meters with  electronic meters in a time bound manner.
6. Testing/validation of meters should cease  to be the responsibility of  the Discoms/ SEBs.

7. Pre-paid meters to be introduced progressively.
8. Time of the Day (ToD)  meter need to be introduced for HT and high value consumers.

9.   Consumer meter boards ought to be installed  outside the premises of the  consumers as far as possible.

10. Meter reading through automatic  hand held meter reading instrument  based on a common protocol specified by CEA.

11. Billing  process need to be computerized  on the basis of in-house IT expertise and essential data should be archived  on Distribution utility’s system in place of the current  practices of outsourcing.

With regards to the Organizational  and managerial structure, the report recommends the Utilities to:

• Develop in-house core team of IT experts who can work with IT   Consultants.
• Organizational structure and human resources required to handle the requirement of new system as per the R-APDRP scheme be modified.