FEDCO signs MoU with Village Energy to install smart meters

New Delhi: Feedback Energy Distribution Company (FEDCO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Australia-based ‘Village Energy’ to install smart meters and demand-side management (DSM) measures in its areas of operation.

Under the MoU, Village Energy will implement next-gen technology along with smart meters for better consumer service in FEDCO’s rural area of operations.

The companies exchanged the MoU in the presence of Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan and Aussie cricket legend and Village Energy advocate Adam Gilchrist in Delhi last week.

FEDCO, a 100% subsidiary of Feedback Infra, provides electricity to consumers across areas in Odisha and Meghalaya. It is one of the few successful examples in the country where private participation has ensured better management of electricity distribution.

FEDCO will roll out the pilot phase that will involve the implementation of the Village Energy platform at Distribution Transformers (DTR) within a single feeder system. A Village Energy smart meter and control device (VEDA) will be installed and maintained at each LV connection and supply point.

Village Energy uses technology for a better energy delivery model. Village Energy’s Platform establishes base level reliability and optimises energy costs in case of multiple sources of energy. It installs a smart device that allows the firm to effectively manage demand.

“We hope that this will be a revolutionary step towards better consumer delight and a step towards making real-time technology viable for the rural consumers. We are confident that with introduction of this technology, our cost of service to consumers residing in rural areas will be drastically reduced without compromising on consumer service” said Devtosh Chaturvedi, Managing Director, FEDCO.

“We are delighted to be working with FEDCO on this very exciting initiative, which has the potential to create new opportunities for electricity consumers across India. FEDCO isan innovator in service delivery and we look forward to building an enduring relationship with them as we implement the objectives of this MoU,” said Ben Hamilton, co-founder & CEO of Village Energy.

Founded in 2018, Village Energy aims to help eliminate energy poverty by building thriving communities through the use of advanced technology that helps grid operators improve the reliability and affordability of providing energy to consumers.

FEDCO provide slow-tension (LT) electricity in the two States with an objective of creating greater operational efficiencies, better load management and improvement in consumer services.

FEDCO services nearly 75,000 customers in Meghalaya and operates in State’sfour sub-divisions: Mawsynram, Mawkyrwat, Nangalbibra and Phulbari.

In Odisha, FEDCO operates as a distribution franchisee in four electricity divisions–Puri, Balugaon, Khurda and Nayagarh–servicing nearly half a million consumers.

Its participation in Odisha has ensured AT&C loss reduction by 26% and financial turnaround, making ARR-ACS cash positive within 5 years of operation in a predominately (up to 90%) rural area.