The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide a combined sovereign and non-sovereign loan amounting to $190mn for the upgrade and modernisation of power distribution system in Bengaluru city in the Indian state of Karnataka.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide a combined sovereign and non-sovereign loan amounting to $190mn for the upgrade and modernisation of power distribution system in Bengaluru city in the Indian state of Karnataka.
ADB will provide a sovereign loan of $100mn for the Bengaluru Smart Energy Efficient Power Distribution Project and $90mn to Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) without sovereign guarantee loan.
ADB South Asia principal energy specialist Teruhisa Oi said: “Reliable and sustainable electricity distribution and service is an important aspect of India’s growth and development
“We believe that this project will improve the efficient distribution and delivery of electricity supply to residents of Bengaluru and support the Government of India’s strategy of building an energy-efficient distribution network.”
Under the project, 7,200km of overhead distribution lines will be converted to underground cables and laid in parallel along with the 2,800km of fibre optic communication cables.
The fibre optic cables will be used for smart metering systems, distribution automation system (DAS) in the distribution grid, and other communication networks.
Additionally, the project will involve the installation of 1,700 automated ring main units integrated with DAS to monitor and control the distribution line switchgears from the control centre.
The loan awarded to BESCOM, one of five state-owned distribution utilities in the state, will be used to boost its utility’s operation and maintenance capabilities, as well as the environment and social safeguards.
