KPTCL to create integrated digital platform for power sector transactions

With the objective of making Karnataka's power sector more transparent, accountable, accurate and faster, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) is creating a comprehensive and centralised digital platform. This platform has been named KPTCL-GTD (Generation, Transmission and Distribution), which will bring energy generation, transmission and distribution processes under a single digital platform.

According to a report by The Hindu, as stated by KPTCL Managing Director V. Ram Prasad Manohar, this platform is being developed and necessary steps are being taken to integrate data and workflows between various departments and institutions. The main objective of this project is to bring large transactions involving power generation companies, KPTCL, electricity supply companies (Escoms) and other stakeholders onto the KPTCL-GTD platform.

Processes that were previously managed separately and required significant human intervention will now be digitised and automated. These processes include electricity purchase and sale, billing, energy reconciliation, banking, open access and financial settlement. According to Manohar, this will reduce human intervention and increase transparency, accuracy, accountability and speed in power-sector transactions. All data related to power transactions, billing, energy reconciliation and financial settlement will be available for real-time viewing and monitoring.

This system will help in reducing billing discrepancies, delays in account reconciliation and data inconsistencies, while also enabling faster transactions and financial settlement. Through KPTCL-GTD, power producers, power purchasers, transmission utilities and electricity supply companies will be able to manage relevant data and transactions through a common digital system.

The aim is also to integrate the Meter Reading Interface (MRI) into this digital platform. This will make it possible to obtain meter data directly, including 15-minute block-level data and interface-point information. This facility will reduce dependence on manual data entry and calculations. Additionally, a digital signature and digital approval system for bills and related documents is also proposed, so that paper-based and manual processes can be further reduced.

Manohar stated that once the system is implemented, it will improve the overall efficiency of the power sector, reduce procedural and commercial losses and make revenue collection more effective. Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George said regarding this that the power sector involves many institutions and processes from generation to distribution. Our objective is to use advanced technology to bring key processes, which were previously managed separately and manually, onto a single digital platform. This will make transactions transparent, fast and seamless for all stakeholders, including power producers, purchasers, transmission utilities and distribution companies.