After winning a 25-year licence for distribution and retail supply of power in five circles of the Central Electricity Supply Utility of Odisha (Cesu) in December last year, the Tata Power Ltd (TPL) has won tenders for the State’s two more electricity distribution companies (discoms), the Western Electricity Supply Utility of Odisha Ltd (Wesco) and the Southern Electricity Supply Utility of Odisha Ltd (Southco).
Earlier, the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Authority (OERC) had invited bids for privatisation of the two discoms.
A consortium of India Power Corporation and French Government-owned power utility Electricite de France (EDF) were the only other bidders for Wesco and Southco, respectively. However, their bids weren’t technically qualified, resulting in only the Tata Power’s bids being opened on Thursday.
Consulting firms PwC and Delloite were roped in for management of the auction process.
While the Wesco supplies electricity in the areas in western Odisha like Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Balangir and Kalahandi districts, the Southco provides electricity in the southern districts like Ganjam, Koraput and Rayagada.
After bagging the three discoms, the Tata Power is also now the only bidder for the North Eastern Electricity Supply Company of Odisha Ltd (Nesco), which supplies electricity to the districts of Baleswar, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jajpur and Bhadrak.
It is pertinent to mention here that after Chandigarh, Odisha has begun the process of privatisation of discoms to bring reforms in the power sector.