• According to 2011 census Tripura has population of 36.74 lakhs and is spread over 10,492 sq km.
• Tripura is 3rd smallest state in India & has 2nd highest population density in the NER with nearly 74% of population in rural area.
• Per capita income of state stands around Rs. 1.12 Lakh in comparison to national average of around Rs. 1.34 Lakh.

• Tripura has a total installed capacity of 120 MW and the plants are being run at a de-rated capacity of 115 MW.
• Gumti Power Plant with two units (5 MW each) commissioned in 1976 & 1984. Further, around 100 MW of Gas based power plants running successfully in Tripura.

• Tripura’s demand is primarily composed of domestic and commercial segments (more than 95% consumers) leading to low load factor of system (less than 50%).
• Intra-state transmission system planned at 132 kV and 66 kV lines to evacuate the generation and supported by downstream distribution network of 33 kV, 11 kV and LT lines.
• Total MVA capacity of substation of TSECL has grown by a CAGR of 2.52% in past 5 years with major increase in 132 kV & 33 kV substations.
• The table below shows the of increase of substation capacity in past 5 years:

1. Institutional Reforms:

• TSECL created 3 new Departments i.e. Human Resource, Information Technology, Vigilance cum Intelligence Cell for improving the operational efficiency of the corporation. Total 870 Nos. employment generated for filling up the positions through both rcecruitment & outsourcing [i.e. TSECL - 31 Nos. + TSECL Outsourcing – 219 Nos. + Customer Care Agency – 24 Nos. + FRT Agency – 89 Nos. + Franchisee Agency – 507 Nos.] 560 employees/staffs were redeployed to various offices from the franchised areas.


• We have framed Recruitment Policy, Training Policy, Transfer Policy (under finalization), CDC/FDC Policy for providing full charge of duties in the next higher post and Incentive Scheme “Bidyut Seva Awards” for employees for excellent services etc. Introduced GATE Score for recruitment of Graduate Engineers & ITI pass for helper & line staffs etc, Training arranged for capacity building staffs at various level and Managers/Sr. Managers have been placed next higher posts on CDC/FDC policy.


• TSECL framed standard maintenance procedures/schedule for all electrical equipments/ lines for improving maintenance quality to reduce intermittent outages/ breakdowns for reliable power supply and also started Work Permit procedure for shutdown related works to avoid accidents/loss of life & property.


• We have appointed Input Based Distribution Franchisee through PPP model in 5 Nos. loss making divisions for 10 years for improvement of efficiency& financial viability, reduction of losses and better services to the consumers.

2. Infrastructure Reforms:

Apart from ongoing SPA, NLCPR, NEC funded project for construction of 132 KV Transmission line/substations at a cost of Rs. 73.29 Cr. following infrastructure projects are taken up for implementation:

• World Bank funded transmission & sub-transmission system improvement scheme at a cost of Rs. 1372 Crores covers construction of new 132 & 33 KV Sub-Stations and lines including capacity augmentation of existing Sub-Stations and Re-conductoring of existing lines. It is in progress and expected to be completed by Dec’2021. It will strengthen the Transmission and Sub-transmission System for meeting the future demand and improve quality & reliability power besides reduction of technical losses.


• NESIDS (MDoNER) funded “Up gradation of Surjyamaninagar 132 KV Sub-station into 400 KV Substation” at a cost of Rs. 171 Crores. It will help to meet the increased demand of the state and sale of enhanced quantum of power to Bangladesh as well as improve reliability.


• Implemented Smart Grid Pilot Project at Electrical Division No-I, at Agartala at a cost of Rs. 63.43 Crores.


• Implementation of Pre-paid metering with vending system for 1.84 Lakhs consumers in urban & semi-urban areas is in progress and targeted to complete by Mar’2021.


• ADB funded state own generation capacity enhancement scheme at a cost of Rs. 700 Crores for installation of Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) at Rokhia Gas Thermal Project replacing the existing Open Cycle Gas Turbine for additional generation of 60 MW with no additional gas. Implementation of the project will result in improvement of efficiency by 100% with reduction in cost & environmental hazards.


• ADB funded distribution modernization & reliability improvement scheme at a cost of Rs. 1225 Crores which includes modern technolgy/products like Covered Conductor, HVDS, FPI, Auto-reclosures & Sectionalisers, RMU, state of the art Transformer Testing Lab, Smart metering etc. Implementation of the project will result in modernized distribution network for meeting future demand growth, improve efficiency and facilitate supply of 24x7 reliable & quality power for all at affordable cost besides substantial reduction in AT&C losses.


• Rural Electrification: TSECL is implementing centrally sponsored RE Schemes i.e. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) for Rs. 74.12 Crores, Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya) for Rs. 417.53 Crores and DDUGJY (Ph-2) for Rs. 358.64 Crores for expansion of electric supply network in rural & remote areas & electrification of all un-electrified households of the state. Achieved 100% household connection under Saubhagya Scheme and providing power to all the households of the state for 24x7.


• Integrated Power Development Schemes (IPDS): For renovation & strengthening of urban area distribution system a centrally sponsored scheme for Rs. 203.02 Crores under Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) is under implementation and near completion. Works in 4 circles completed out of 9 circles.


• Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) at a cost of Rs. 18.16 Crores for establishment of e-governance facility within TSECL for improvement of operational performance and efficiency is started and will be completed by Dec’2021.



3. Consumer services Reforms:

• 24x7 Power Supply – adoption of standard maintenance schedule and operationalization smart customer care system is facilitating 24x7 supply of reliable & quality power to all the consumers along with quick restoration of outages/breakdowns.


• Initiative taken to develop a Cloud based solution to bring all different billing system into one single platform based online billing and updated website for easy consumer interfaces.


• Implemented incentive/disincentive for the meter reading collection & bill distribution by the outsourced agency personnel for improving the accuracy of billing and avoiding consumer’s bill related disputes.


• Established “Smart Customer Care Centre System with FRT” for prompt complaint resolution and better services to the consumers through single window Web Based Integrated Complaint Management System (ICMS) for 24x7 operations. Fault Rectification Team (FRT) is equipped with Field crew and vehicle for rectification of fault related to “No-Current Complaint”.


• “TSECL at Your Doorstep” program for ensuring 24x7 reliable & quality supply of power to all the consumers. Fortnightly visits of the District Guardian facilitated 24 X 7 reliable and quality power supply to all the valued consumers including better consumer services.


• One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme implemented for settlement of old outstanding dues by the defaulting consumer. Facility provided for 75% waiver of surcharge on the condition that entire outstanding including remaining 25% surcharge are paid by the defaulting Kutirjyoti consumers while remaining category of consumers the scheme provides 60% waiver of surcharge on the condition that entire outstanding including remaining 40% surcharge are paid at one time.


• No tariff hike effected during last couple of years. Rebate increase from 2% to 5% for the consumers except “Tea & Coffee Category” which is increased to 15%. For the pandemic lockdown period waiver of 50% late payment surcharge given to all consumers.


• Adoption of M-POS and all other e-payment facility: Introduction of Mobile Point-of-Sale (POS) Payment Solution in collaboration with HDFC Bank has improved the collection through digital mode by 50%.


• TSECL has started providing net metering facility to its consumers as per TERC Regulation under “Go Green Initiative” to promote environment friendly green non-conventional energy specifically, the solar energy. ICFAI University, Holi Cross School, and many other consumers have already availed this facility.



4. Financial Reforms:

• Cost reduction through conversion of individual telephone connection into Common User Group (CUG) connection.


• Ensuring timely payment to CPSUs and availing applicable rebate. No outstanding to CPSUs in pre-covid situation.


• Advance release of fund for taking up preventive pre-monsoon/pre-puja maintenance program for additional vehicle & manpower to all site offices.


• Advance release of fund for taking up installation of pre-paid meters by the site offices.


• Cost cutting on vehicle expenditures.



5. Success stories:

• TSECL has successfully implemented the Smart Grid Pilot Project at Electrical Division No-I, Agartala covering about 45000 consumers and integrated live Billing with remote disconnection & temper detection is in operation. Installed 43000 smart meters with integrated live online meter reading collection, billing, remote dis-connection of defaulters etc.. Smart metering in Electrical Division No-I, at Agartala brought down the losses below 7% from 17% and ensured better consumers services like online accurate billing & collection. This project received the “Best Smart Grid Project in India by Utility” in the category of Diamond from India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF).


• TSECL successfully established Smart customer care system with FRT with facilites for registering complaints in 4 languages (Bengali, Kokborok, Hindi and English), dialling through 1912 (Short Code for electricity complaints). 100% complaints registered are resolved wherein 99% of the complaints are resolved within 2 hours or less time against regulatory time allowed for 4 hours.


• TSECL successfully appointed Input Based Distribution Franchisee through PPP model in 5 Nos. loss making divisions for 10 years for improvement of efficiency & financial viability, reduction of losses and better services to the consumers. Initial report shows 17.83% increase in input energy, 100% increase in energy billed and 61% increase in cash flow in the franchised areas besides savings of about Rs. 330 Lakhs in Operational Expenditure (viz; Salary, Wages & Non-Salary). Apart from the above, number of tripping/fault at 11 KV fedder reduced by 70% including duration of outages/downtime by 20% thereby providing better services to the consumers. Besides, Electricity Duty collection increased by 76%.


• TSECL is installing Pre-paid meters with vending system for 1.84 Lakhs consumers in urban & semi-urban areas. It has improved cash flow by 24% and old dues recovery by about 58% besides complete elimination of billing disputes & post bill payment has sels for the consumers. It will help reducing theft of power. Recently Pre-paid consumers are facilitated with online recharge through TSECL official web site www.tsecl.in.


• TSECL implemented Online Health Monitoring System for Distribution Transformer. It will help to reduce the transformer failures resulting improved asset life & resolve low voltage problems.


• TSECL has installed Capacitor Bank for resolving the power quality related issues. It will eliminate the low voltage issues, reduce failures of transformers and ensure supply of quality power to consumers.



6. Awards & recognitions:

• TSECL has been awarded by the Ministry of Power for achieving the target of “100% household electrification” under SAUBHAGYA Scheme withing scheduled timeline.


• TSECL received the “Best Smart Grid Project in India by Utility” in the category of Diamond from India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) for successful implementation of Smart Grid Pilot Project of Government of India.


• TSECL received the “Skoch Award 2020” at Silver category for outstanding performance in “Response to COVID – 19”. This is an acknowledgement for excellent works carried out by TSECL during pandemic situation for maintaining 24x7 power supply services across the state, Safety & hygiene of employees & consumers for continuing operations, Revenue management, Consumer convenience & benefit and Social responsibility for contributing Rs. 31.39 Lakhs to CM’s Relief Fund by the employees of TSECL.


• TSECL received the “Skoch Order-of-Merit” in “Input Based Distribution Franchsee”. This is an acknowledgement for implementation of Input Based Distribution Franchsee by TSECL as PPP model towards improving operational & financial viability of the corporation.



Power Finance Corporation (A Government of India Enterprise) upgraded TSECL’s position from Grade ‘C’ to Grade ‘B’ as per evaluation done for categorisation of State Utilities in the country. TSECL is a power surplus utility providing 24x7 power to all the consumers and is a profit making organization.

• 1st Tariff Petition filed for FY 2005-06 & 2nd Tariff Petition filed for FY 2006-07 as per Tariff Regulations, 2004 for which Tariff Order issued on June 24, 2005 & September 14, 2006.
• 3rd Tariff Petition filed for FY 2012-13 along with truing up for FY 2007-08 to FY 2010-11. Tariff Order issued for ARR for FY 2012-13 along with truing up for FY 2005-06 to FY 2010-11.
• 4th ARR and tariff Petition filed for FY 2013-14, truing up for FY 2011-12, APR for FY 2012-13. Order issued on June 25, 2013.
• 5th ARR and tariff Petition filed for ARR for FY 2014-15, Truing Up for FY 2012-13 and Review for FY 2013-14. Order issued on 22.11.2014.
• 6th ARR and tariff Petition for MYT period FY 2016-17 to FY 2018-19 and truing up for FY 2013-14 and FY 2014-15 was filed before Hon’ble Commission on 06.06.2018.
• MYT Order for FY 2016-17 to FY 2018-19 and true-up order for FY 2013-14 and FY 2014-15. Order issued on 01.09.2020.