According to the International Energy Agency, India’s energy demand will more than double by 2030, potentially increasing the frequency of power outages even in the most developed areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Because India is home to one of the weakest electric grids in the world, India loses money for every unit of electricity sold. The need for a smart grid is therefore paramount if India wants to continue along its path of aggressive economic growth, GE Smart Grid Technologies says.

GE’s PowerOn OMS will be integrated with the previously installed GE Energy Smallworld geospatial information system (GIS) and North Delhi Power Limited’s existing distribution management system to drive power reliability and quality through a smart grid.

“Our smart grid solutions suite will immediately help NDPL in its ongoing quest to improve the quality of service while reducing technical and commercial power losses,” says Gursharan Bhatia, general manager of GE Energy’s transmission and distribution business in India. “As a result of NDPL’s automation strategy, the utility has already reduced losses from 54% to less than 18% over the past five years.”

A joint venture between Tata Power, India’s largest private power company and the government of Delhi, North Delhi Power Limited distributes electricity to approximately five million people in the Delhi metro area.