Even as the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) aka Mahavitaran is preparing to install smart prepaid meters in Pune and across Maharashtra in the coming days, the company has asked for an ‘automatic power disconnection facility’ in these meters for consumers who fail to pay electricity bills on time.

A 16-hour power outage in Wagholi last week prompted Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) officials to provide two new substations for smooth power supply in the area. The 22/11 KV Gera substation was approved for consumers in Wagholi and will be functional in the next six months.

The Nashik zone of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has completed the task of laying underground cables in Panchavati, Old City, Nashik Road and Cidco areas of the city — the most densely populated areas — measuring around 150 km.

In order to improve the power distribution system in the urban and rural areas, the Madhya Pradesh West Zone Electricity Distribution Company has spent Rs 69 crore in the current financial year. A new line of 502 km has been installed. Along with this, the capacity of distribution transformers has been increased at 383 places so that the consumers do not face the problem of tripping and voltage fluctuations.

MSEDCL has invited bids for 444 MW of decentralised solar projects of 500 kW to 2 MW capacity under component A of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program in Maharashtra. Bidders could participate as an individual or group of farmers, cooperatives, etc.

MSEDCL has issued requests for selection to procure 500 MW of wind power from intrastate wind power projects and 300 MW wind power from grid-connected new inter-state and intrastate wind projects, in order to fulfil its non-solar renewable purchase obligation and meet its future power requirements.

West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd has invited bids to install and commission distributed grid-connected solar systems for agricultural consumers under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) programme. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 37.8 crore.

WBSEDCL is developing a 10 MW (2x5 MW) small hydroelectric project in Lodhama in Darjeeling district of West Bengal on an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract basis. The project’s estimated cost is Rs. 51.04 crore.

MSEDCL has installed 10 electric vehicle charging stations in Mumbai region, and with tests being completed this week they will soon be thrown open to the public. Fifty stations are being set up across the state in the first phase, followed by a total 500 across Maharashtra by next year.