Following  the advent of power reforms in the country, the Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APEPDCL) was formed on the 31st of March, 2000,  to serve as a Distribution Company of AP Transco. 

APEPDCL, Visakhapatnam is the leading Indian power utility serving a consumer base of over 4.7 million spread across five districts in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. It has always been a pioneer in delivering technology centric customer care services to its customers. EPDCL has the lowest AT&C losses and one of the best in terms of operational efficiency.

APEPDCL  is responsible for undertaking distribution and bulk supply of power in the operation circles of Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, East and West Godavari districts and 20 Divisions of Coastal Andhra Pradesh.  APEPDCL supplies power to over 47 lakh consumers belonging to different categories through a network consisting of  558 Sub-stations of 33 KV level, 2188 feeders of 11 KV level and more than 1,16,566 distribution transformers of different levels.  The Corporate Office and Headquarters of APEPDCL is situated at Visakhapatnam.

Serving with smile

• To ensure reliable, efficient and sufficient power supply to consumers.

• To ensure a balanced all-round development of power infrastructure in all circles of operation.

• To ensure operational efficiency through managerial, functional autonomy and technological up gradation.

• To focus on customer care and customer service in all spheres of activity, by maintaining good quality and cost-effectiveness in power distribution.

• Integration of customer database with GIS for all 29 towns of APEPDCL for better linkage between customer and network elements i.e., pole, distribution transformer, feeder and sub station

• HT Metering Information Management System (MIMS), an in house application  under development for tracking Metering Installation for HT Consumers

• Strengthening transmission and distribution infrastructure

• Conducting a special drive against Electricity Pilferage 

Key Achievements

• The company achieved distribution losses of 7% as against 8.42% during previous year (2009-10). This is the lowest in APEPDCL history.
• The company recorded AT&C losses of 8.56% which is the lowest for APEPDCL so far as against 10.17% last year (2009-10). It is also the lowest for any state owned DISCOM in the country.
• The Company achieved Metered Sales of 80%, an increase of 5.3% over 74.7% during last year (2009-10). This is the highest in the history of APEPDCL.
• Five star rated Distribution Transformers were introduced in APEPDCL for the first time in the country which results in reduction of technical losses. So far 231 Nos. DTRs were erected.
• An amount of Rs. 233.55 Crs. has been spent towards network strengthening and other capital works.
• 27 Nos. new 33/11 KV substations were completed and charged.
• A pilot project of providing 33KV and 11KV UG cable over 6.5 Kms in Visakhapatnam City was completed at a cost of Rs.6.54 Crs to provide quality power.
• Under RGGVY 62,415 Nos. BPL services and 9994 Nos. APL services were released.
• 101 Nos. habitations electrified and 783 villages were intensified.
• 5865 Nos. school services were released out of 8847 Nos. targeted. Remaining under progress.
• Hand held collection machines were introduced in rural areas to facilitate payment of current charges by consumers.
• Replacement of old electro mechanical meters with infra red port high accuracy meters (approximately 2,30,000) taken up and the spot billing system stabilized.
• APEPDCL was awarded ISO 27001:2005 certification for ISMS and became the first DISCOM to do so.

• 54 Nos. new substations are sanctioned with an estimated cost of Rs.62 Crs.
• 39 Nos. of 33KV interlinking line works with estimated cost of Rs. 24.96 Crs are in progress. Another 42 Nos. with estimated cost of Rs 25.006 Crs are sanctioned.
• A project to segregation of agricultural services from other services was initiated with an estimated cost of Rs. 21.04 Crs in one mandal each in the five circles.
• HVDS scheme for balance 9553 pumpsets was initiated in Rajahmundry circle with an estimated cost of Rs. 50.346 Crs.
• A scheme for electrification of 395 habitations hitherto unelectrified was prepared with an estimated cost of Rs. 65 Crs under DDG and is under processing at Govt. of India.
• Initiated process for distribution of 78 lakh CFLs to around 39 lakh consumers in the five districts of EPDCL as energy conservation measure.
• Initiated pilot project for Agriculture DSM measures with replacement of around 2204 Nos. pump sets with BEE star labeled pump sets.
• HVDS project taken up and also project formulated for conversion of balance 40,000 Agriculture pump sets to HVDS with an outlay of Rs. 241 Crs. to be taken up in next two years

Sale of Energy (MU)

Technical & Commercial Losses

Revenue Demand Versus Revenue Collections

APEPDCL has been in the forefront in reduction of Distribution Losses and in ensuring customer delight which are also the key objectives of the Power Sector Reforms. This has become possible by your dedicated efforts and enthusiasium for continuous improvements. As per the latest Quarterly performance research report of State Power utilities for the period of July-September 2008 conducted by Power Finance Corporation EPDCL stands 1st in having AT&C losses at 7%, Distribution Transformers failures at 0.5% and collection efficiency at 100%.

On the Operational front we have taken up a large scale drive on R&M of our lines and equipments to improve the quality of power supply and reduce technical losses in the system. We have also taken up for installation of TYCO clamps for 10 nos. Sub-stations in Visakhapatnam which minimizes contact resistance reduce Technical Losses and supply interruptions.

We have standardized the call centre operations and also IVRS introduced in Siripuram call centre. In future centralized call centre with IVRS is will be established at Siripuram call centre that can handle all the calls originating from 5 districts for all complaints and service request including new service connection. RAS (Revenue Assurance System) has been implemented in Visakhapatnam Circle from December 2008 to streamline the billing system. RAS will be extended to four Districts within short time. ISO implementation for all offices in the Company is going on in full swing. With increased focus on Energy Audit we replaced all non standard feeder meters with MRI compatible meters. In order to reduce the work load the meter reading tasks both for feeders and high value services are outsourced. Our key focus is to ensure that the Human Resources are optimally utilized for the core improvements in the sector.

  

Automatic Meter Reading for feeders and HT services is rolled out to other circles and the work is in progress. AMR tender is also in process for high value services. Spot Billing Activity is getting streamlined after we brought in stringency in the eligibility criteria and in the agreement conditions. SCADA system is being streamlined by making the equipment SCADA ready for incorporating control functions. An initiative is taken up 2 nos. existing SCADA sub-stations unmanned and the process of finalization with ABB is in progress.

ATP Machine

The process of achievement will not be meaningful without the active involvement of the employees in a Company. Let us all take a solemn pledge to work sincerely, selflessly and with dedication for the good of our company on this auspicious occasion. Let us commit ourselves to making the APEPDCL a model Power Distribution Company in India and in the World.

On the Energy Conservation front, the Distribution of CFL Bulbs is taken up in Visakhapatnam District. After certain initial procedural delays, the Distribution has now picked up momentam and the distribution of 6.5 lakhs CFLs will be completed in a couple of months. For the first time we have initiated TOD metering for HT Consumers and the methodology is being finalized by KPMG consultants. Fixing of capacitors on Agl. DTRs is also entrusted to M/s VIZ Technologies under a pilot project.

• APEPDCL has been at the forefront in social welfare activities. It has taken up measures to ensure empowerment of women in the district and town levels by engaging with welfare associations such as DWCRA and Chaitanya Sravanthi  by employing women for the collection of electricity bills.

• A study on subsidy delivery mechanism in agriculture is being undertaken by a  Lok Satta task force in East and West Godavari districts as a pilot programme.

Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APEPDCL) is embarking on a drive to provide next generation of customer services unheard of in the Indian power distribution sector. As part of this initiative APEPDCL is launching a series of customer friendly services based on its state-of-the-art centralized call center.

Single number for all consumers: All the calls made to 155333 from any where in the 5 districts of APEPDCL will land at the centralized call center in Visakhapatnam. The call center is operated round the clock throughout the year.

Single number for all services: Customers can use a single number (155333) to seek information, lodge complaints (including power failure, billing, payments), inform about power theft, and register service requests (including new service connection, title transfer, category change, load enhancement requests) over phone.

Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS): An advanced IVR system helps the customers to easily retrieve the required information, lodge complaints and place service requests without the intervention of customer representatives at the call center.

Customer facilitation centers: If a complaint or service request requires a fee to be paid to EPDCL or some documents to be submitted, the complaint/request is registered and the caller is requested to visit the nearest customer facilitation center by referring the registration number. All such complaints/requests would be resolved as per the service levels defined by the citizen charter, after the payment of fee and document submission.

Door-step services: If the customers do not have the time or convenience to visit the customer facilitation centers, they can avail the door-step service at a nominal charge. A messenger will be dispatched to customer premises to collect the fee and documents and issue a receipt for the same.

Privilege Desks: Exclusive customer support desks will be setup for high value and HT consumers and senior citizens to quickly register and resolve their requests.

These services are powered by advanced Customer Care and Interaction Management software’s eCare and eCall (of Phoenix mPower product suite) developed and deployed by Phoenix IT Solutions Ltd, Visakhapatnam on Software as a Service (Saas) model. Together they facilitate APEPDCL to offer many such services from concept to delivery with advanced features like ACD, CTI Skill based rooting, SMS, GIS /SCADA integration, call monitoring, recording, reporting, etc.

Most of the customer care centers of EPDCL operated by Phoenix are ISO 9001 certified. The customer services offered at these centers are of the highest standards achieving close to 100% service levels with close monitoring and escalation upto the CMD level. Many of the services at these centers are offered within shorter timeframes than those suggested by the Citizen Charter; for example new service connection within 48 hours, which is another first in the Indian utility sector.

• Bill payments can be made 365 days a year through Computerised Collection Centres, Commercial Banks, ATMs, 'e-seva' centres (especially in rural areas) and through Internet-based payment.
  
• Redressal of complaints on the spot through 'Vidyuth Sadassulu' and Sub-Station level meetings at the Municipalities and Mandal level.