DPR for Rs 1,700-cr SCRIPS project by June 2015

The scheme is aimed at ensuring stable and uninterrupted supply of power to the consumers in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack

The detailed project report (DPR) for the Rs 1,700-crore State Capital Region Improvement in Power System (SCRIPS) scheme is expected to be readied by June 2015.

Tenders for the project are likely to be awarded by December 2015. The state budget has allocated Rs 100 crore for the project in 2014-15.

The scheme aimed at ensuring stable and uninterrupted supply of power to the consumers in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, involves massive overhaul of power transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Since the proposed scheme involves significant investment, the state government is planning to avail long-term loans from external donor agencies like Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Under SCRIPS, the government will go for smart grid technology. The SCRIPS scheme will also replace the existing radial connectivity in electrical network with ring connectivity to ensure uninterrupted power flow.

A smart grid is a modernized electrical grid that uses analogue or digital information and communication technology to gather and act on information to improve the efficiency, reliability, economics, and sustainability of the production and distribution of electricity.

The SCRIPS scheme also has provisions to go for underground cabling in select areas of the twin cities.

In parallel, the state is also going ahead with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) assisted disaster resilient power system project.

The project to cost Rs 999 crore will be implemented in Ganjam, the southern Odisha district worst hit by the Phailin cyclonic storm. The detailed project report (DPR) for the disaster resilient power system is ready.

Of the total project cost, Rs 280 crore would be spent on transmission, Rs 700 crore on distribution, Rs 11 crore on smart grid and Rs 8 crore on setting up 8 Mw solar photo voltaic (PV) power plant.

ADB has agreed to provide Rs 615 crore loan for the project. The residual Rs 384 crore will be borne by the state government. The ADB loan is meant for cyclone insulated infrastructure for transmission and distribution of electricity in the coastal zone and also for strengthening river and saline embankments.