BSES to bid for franchise in Gujarat

Mumbai: Reliance-controlled BSES Ltd has decided to bid for the franchise in the distribution sector being offered by the Gujarat government in 12 cities. Mr Anil Ambani, chairman, BSES said that the company would primarily handle the management and would work towards commercial and technical losses while the capital support would be provided by the state government.

The company would also incur substantial capital expenditure for systems development to meet load growth, to improve reliability and quality of supply and minimise technical and commercial losses in Delhi.

The company is also looking to further strengthen its systems in Mumbai and bring down the commercial losses to about ten per cent in the next two years. Mr Ambani said the company was looking at a host of opportunities in the energy sector and has applied for distribution licenses in Bhandup, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nasik, Nagpur and Ahmedabad.

He added that BSES is also working along with the Orissa government and the World Bank on a financial package for the energy distribution sector in that state. "We are working on a comprehensive financial package for the revival of distribution sector in Orissa along with the state government, union ministry of power and World Bank but would take at least three months to work things out as elections were round the corner in that state," Mr Ambani said.