Torrent Power Explained

Torrent Power Limited
Type:Public
Traded As:
    Location:Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
    Industry:Energy
    Products:Sale and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, wind power, energy trading
    Key People:
    • Sudhir Mehta
    • Samir Mehta
    Revenue: (2023)
    Operating Income: (2023)
    Net Income: (2023)
    Num Employees:7,874 (2020)[1]
    Parent:Torrent Group

    Torrent Power is an Indian energy and power company, having interests in power generation, transmission, distribution and the manufacturing and supply of power cables.[2] The company distributes power to over 38.5 lakh customers annually in its distribution areas of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Dahej SEZ and Dholera Special Investment Region in Gujarat; Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu UT; Bhiwandi, Shil, Mumbra and Kalwa areas of Mumbai Metropolitan Region in Maharashtra and Agra in Uttar Pradesh;[3] The T&D losses in license areas of the company is amongst the lowest in the country.

    History

    Torrent Group took over and successfully turned around an ailing power cable company Mahendra Electricals,[4] renaming it as ‘Torrent Cables Ltd.’ (now merged with Torrent Power w.e.f. 1 April 2014). The high points of Torrent’s foray into power however were the acquisitions of two of India’s oldest utilities – The Surat Electricity Company Ltd and The Ahmedabad Electricity Company Ltd. In 1997, the company completed its acquisition of the Ahmedabad Electricity Company by purchasing the entire 28.89% stake held by the Gujarat government.[5] This acquisition formed what was then known as Torrent Power AEC Limited. Similarly, Torrent Power SEC Limited was formed after acquiring the Surat Electricity Company in the same deal. Torrent turned them into first-rate power utilities, in terms of operational efficiencies and reliability of power supply.

    In 2005, the parent company, Torrent Group floated the company Torrent Power Generation to further expand into the power business. In 2006, the three power-related companies of Torrent Group, Torrent Power AEC Ltd, Torrent Power SEC Ltd, and Torrent Power Generation Ltd were merged to form Torrent Power.[6] Torrent Power created history by entering into the country’s first distribution franchisee agreement with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited for Bhiwandi Circle in December 2006. In 2009 it was awarded the distribution franchise for Agra in Uttar Pradesh. During FY 19 the Company was awarded a distribution license for Dholera Special Investment Region (in Gujarat) and distribution franchise for Shil, Mumbra & Kalwa (SMK) area in Mumbai Metropolitan Region of Maharashtra.

    Operations

    Generation

    Torrent Power has an aggregate generating capacity of more than 4 GW with a unique mix of coal based, gas based, and renewable power plants comprising:

    Transmission

    Torrent Power operates 400 kV double circuit transmission lines implemented by it, for evacuating power generated at SUGEN and DGEN plant to various off-take centres.

    Distribution

    The company distributes power to over 3.85 million customers annually in its distribution areas of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Dahej SEZ and Dholera SIR in Gujarat; Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu UT; Bhiwandi, Shil, Mumbra and Kalwa areas of Mumbai Metropolitan Region in Maharashtra; and Agra in Uttar Pradesh.The T&D losses in license areas of the company is amongst the lowest in the country. The T&D losses in Gujarat at 6.54% is amongst the lowest in the country. Torrent Power has managed reduction in AT&C losses in Bhiwandi from 58% at the time of takeover to 14.90% in FY 2018–19, and from 58.77% at the time of takeover to 16.11% in FY 2018-19 in Agra.

    Cables

    See main article: Torrent Cables.

    The Cables Unit manufactures Power & Control Cables and is one of the market leaders in HT Power Cable segment with a manufacturing capability of up to 132 kV XLPE Cables.

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Torrent Power Ltd. Financial Statements . moneycontrol.com.
    2. News: Torrent Power Ltd.. Business Standard India. 2021-07-25.
    3. News: Torrent Power Q1 results: Profit up 35% at Rs 374 cr. The Economic Times. 2021-07-25.
    4. Web site: 2018-02-08. Torrent Power puts in place succession plan. 2021-07-25. The Indian Express. en.
    5. http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19970804/21650353.html Nod for Rs 400-cr Torrent issue
    6. http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/bline/blnri/2006/03/24/stories/2006032403460300.htm Torrent group merges power cos