Tamil Nadu govt scraps smart meter tender to Adani group
The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has cancelled a global tender for the installation of smart metres, despite Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) emerging as the lowest bid for the project, according to a report.
The decision of scrapping the tender has been taken by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco). The Tangedco cited the ‘high costs’ quoted by the Adani Energy Solutions Ltd – the lowest bidder for one of the four packages that covers four districts including Chennai, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu.
According to the report, the proposed package aimed at installation of 8.2 million smart metres with a fund of Rs 19,000 crore provided by the Centre under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.
This project was envisioned for the installation of smart metres across all electricity connections in the state barring agriculture.
The Tangedco officials said the prices quoted by the AESL to bag the tender were “unacceptable despite negotiations to bring down the costs”.
All four tenders issued in August 2023, including those for the remaining three packages covering other districts, have been cancelled due to ‘administrative reasons’, according to sources in Tangedco. The government plans to reissue the tenders soon.