February 25, 2014

The state energy department intends to implement the State Capital Region Improvement in Power System (SCRIPS) scheme at an investment of Rs 1,500 crore to ensure stable and uninterrupted power supply in Bhubaneswar. This scheme involves massive overhaul of power transmission and distribution infrastructure.

A senior government official said, “Since the proposed scheme involves significant investment, we are planning to avail long-term loan from external donor agencies like Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Under SCRIPS, we 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.”

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

It may be mentioned that a smart grid is a modernised 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.

In addition, the state government has planned a disaster resilient power strengthening system in Ganjam. The ambitious project – to be implemented with assistance from the ADB – is estimated to cost Rs 750 crore.