New Delhi, February 13, 2007

Press Release

Next-Gen Modernisation

BSES successfully automates Street Lights using microprocessor technology

· Rs 20 lakh Pilot project in Vasant Kunj successfully commissioned – over 4000 Street Lights automated

· Programmable Street Light Controller (PSLC) project will help conserve energy and prevent power theft

· Vasant Kunj alone would save over 1.7 Million Units of energy

· Street Light Switch On/ Switch Off operation automatically adjusts in accordance with the day’s Sunset and Sunrise timing

BSES has been continuously and progressively striving towards creating a world class electricity distribution infrastructure - in line with global benchmarks. After implementing many an innovative global practices, BSES has now embarked on a mission to automate streetlights in its licensed area spread across nearly 1000 sq km..

There are over 2.6 lakh Street Lights in BSES’ licensed area – consuming over 40 MW of electricity at a given point in time. At present streetlights are manually operated in Delhi –causing heavy loss of scarce electricity on account of delay in switching them Off and theft by unscrupulous elements.

To overcome this delay in switching Off the Street Lights and to minimise the incidence of power theft, BSES has embarked on an innovative project to automate streetlights. Initially, the project will run as a pilot and after assessing and gauging its impact – it will be implemented in others areas of BSES licensed area.

BSES has successfully completed first phase of the pilot project by automating around 4000 streetlights in large parts of South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area including Pocket A, B, C, D, Andeheria Bagh, Masoodpur and roads leading to the airport.

“The project, cost Rs 20 lakh, has been completed in a record time of less than two months” said a BSES official, adding : “Our next target is to automate around 3500 streetlights in the Hauz Khas area.”

The Programmable Street Light Controller (PSLC) project – being implemented with assistance of Siricom Technologies, Hyderabad – is based on Sunset / Sunrise timings. The microprocessor controlled system – is very sensitive and automatically Switches On / Switches Off the streetlights based on the day’s Sunset and Sunrise timings. The system will automatically Switch On when the ambient lux levels falls below 60 lux. The project will help in conserving over 1.7 Million Units of electricity every year in Vasant Kunj area lone.

The PLSC – microprocessor based system also has inherent power theft prevention features. Every streetlight point has a maximum load restriction. Any increase in load, will automatically cut off the power supply.

According to a BSES spokesperson “As and when PLSC system is rolled out across BSES’ licensed area, it will help save over 60 million units of electricity every year. This effort is one more step by BSES towards giving its customers – the best on offer and help conserve energy.” Over 98 per cent of Street Lights in BSES area are functioning effectively.

BSES, Delhi’s premier power distribution company, is committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to all its consumers.

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For further information please contact:

Prashant Dua	Chandra P Kamat
Corporate Communications	Corporate Communications
39999870 / 9312007822	39999088/9350130304