ENZEN plans Rs 200 cr CAPEX in Odisha over next 5 years 

Odisha Sun Times Business Bureau

Bhubaneswar, June 13:

Bangalore-based Enzen Global, having interest in the fields of energy, gas, water, renewable energy etc, has unveiled an ambitious plan to spend a whopping Rs 200 crore in Odisha as part of its Capital Expenditure [CAPEX] over the next five years, Chairman Satheesh Kumar said on Friday here. 

Speaking to a select group of reporters, the power distribution franchisee engaged by CESU has pegged CAPEX of around Rs 50 crore for the 2014-15 fiscal year to strengthen the transmission and distribution [T&D] infrastructure in the state, according to Mr Kumar. 
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A dedicated and decentralized CAPEX team in all six divisions of the Dhenkanal and Paradeep circles has been deployed to expedite the CAPEX programme, he said. 
 
“We aim to reduce the transmission and distribution [T&D] loss by 25% or even more in Odisha every year,” he told media persons 
 
At present the T&D loss in the power sector is in excess of 35%, and power theft accounts for 13% out of the total loss.
 
“We aim to put in place in a strict vigilance system in all the divisions to curb unauthorized and unaccounted power consumption as well as to check the rising power theft,” Mr Kumar added.
 
“Unfortunately, for every 1.5 million unit [MU] or 15 lakh units of power consumed in the state, a meager 3.5 lakh unit is billed and 63% collection is made against that, which in the long run would make the sector an unsustainable proposition,” he remarked.
 
As part of its checks and balance strategy to arrest financial loss the discom is facing, ENZEN is banking upon multiple strategies like ensuring correct meter reading, rectification of faulty meters, focus on improving the network, reducing the distance of transmission lines from one grid to another to ease the T&D losses, system upgradation, strict vigilance mechanism, undertaking initiatives for more community participation etc, according to the Chairman.
 
Besides, the power discom had started the ‘Energy clinic’ concept last year in the state, which has the sole aim to make the consumers aware about the need to save and reduce the consumption of energy by use of efficient and effective energy conservation equipment, he added.
 
Replying to a query from reporters regarding the Orissa Electricity Regulatory commission [OERC] decision not to hike power tariff in the state during the fiscal year 2014-15, Mr Kumar said, “It acts as a good incentive for the consumers as they at least do not have to pay the price for the inefficiency on the part of the discoms. Rather, the utility companies will try to perform in a better way because of the OERC decision,” 
 
As a part of its diversification strategy, the company has a future plan to jump into the renewable energy [RE] arena; like wind and solar power and even the hybrid energy sector.  
 
ENZEN also aims to increase the coverage of billing area, intensification on collection of dues to convert its loss making operations in Odisha in to profitable ones, the Chairman told media persons.