The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 21, 2025
TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), a joint venture of Tata Power and the Government of Odisha, has ramped up its preparedness to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the peak summer season of 2025. With an anticipated peak demand of 2524 MW, the company has implemented a series of proactive measures to strengthen its distribution infrastructure and enhance reliability.
A key milestone in TPCODL’s readiness strategy is the establishment of a Centralised Power Distribution Technology Centre in Bhubaneswar. This state-of-the-art facility enables real-time monitoring of the network using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), ensuring seamless operation of 33kV feeders, primary substations, and 11kV feeders. The Power System Control Centre (PSCC) has been further strengthened with backup power provisions and dedicated communication channels, reinforcing operational continuity.
To bolster power distribution, TPCODL has expanded its infrastructure by adding 152 MVA to the sub-transmission network through the upgradation of power transformers and substations. Additionally, 181 MVA capacity has been added to the distribution network with the installation of new distribution transformers. The network has been expanded with 55 CKM of sub-transmission lines, 1126 CKM of 11kV lines, and 383 CKM of LT network, significantly improving power transmission capacity. Voltage stability has been enhanced through the augmentation of 33kV and 11kV feeders and the operationalization of On-Load Tap Changers (OLTCs). In urban areas, TPCODL has implemented a hot standby source at primary substations, ensuring a swift changeover within five minutes in case of main source breakdown, with a remarkable success rate of 98%. SCADA-based overload trimming has also been introduced to prevent feeder trips and ensure grid stability.
In terms of outage management and customer service, TPCODL has taken several steps to enhance consumer experience. The company has expanded its outreach by providing multi-language outage updates via social media and upgraded its call center operations to improve agent availability during peak hours. The strengthening of Fuse Call Centres (FCCs) through the FCC 2.0 mobile application has enabled faster response times to power issues. More than 9000 dedicated personnel have been deployed to promptly address outages, supported by measures such as SMS alerts and call-back options during peak hours. Safety measures have also been reinforced, including the refurbishment of distribution substations and proactive maintenance of primary feeders to minimize risks.
With the summer season also bringing Kalabaisakhi storms, TPCODL has put in place a comprehensive contingency plan. Additional manpower and vehicles have been deployed for emergency response, and 13 Mobile Distribution Substations have been placed on standby. Emergency materials have been stocked at 20 divisional stores to facilitate quick restoration, and feeder-wise contingency plans have been activated for better load management. Vulnerable locations have been equipped with 20 ASKA lights, while backup desks at the Centralized Power System Control Centre (CPSCC) have been designated for managing weather-related disturbances and call handling. Division-wise emergency control rooms will be activated based on weather alerts, and five manlifters have been deployed for high-altitude work, including tree pruning and cross-arm replacements.
Speaking on TPCODL’s summer preparedness, CEO Arvind Singh emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering reliable power supply, stating, “Ensuring reliable power supply during peak summer months is our top priority. With cutting-edge technology, strengthened infrastructure, and a well-equipped workforce, TPCODL is fully prepared to meet the growing electricity demand while enhancing service quality and safety for our consumers.”
With these robust measures in place, TPCODL remains steadfast in its mission to provide uninterrupted, safe, and efficient power supply across its operational areas, ensuring seamless service to its consumers throughout the summer of 2025.
