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According to World Bank documents, the objective of the project is to improve the financial health and operational efficiency of select electricity distribution companies in India.
The proposed Program intends to support the operational and financial performance of Discoms in the country and the Bank supports the program in selected (three to four) states through REC Ltd (a financial intermediary) for institutional and capacity building reforms. The operation will be financed through a hybrid of Program for Results (PforR) and Investment Project Financing (IPF) financial modalities. The PforR while the primary instrument for support of the program through funding US$ 490 million, the IPF is proposed to finance Technical Assistance of about US$ 10 million for specific activities related to project management, training, and capacity building by REC. The proposed IPF component will only involve TA to build the capacity of the implementing agency and Distribution Companies (Discoms).
The proposed Program builds upon the World Bank’s support over the last 7-8 years to reforms in electricity distribution through state level engagements under India’s 24x7 Power for All Program. Through this Project, the World Bank is building upon a long engagement with the Ministry of Power (MoP) which includes several financing operations in electricity distribution, transmission and generation, including in the renewable energy value-chain. The learnings from these engagements have helped the World Bank develop a wide-ranging platform of solutions, which will inform the proposed operation. This project will form part of a programmatic approach to improve the commercial performance of the electricity distribution sector across India.The Program-for-Results (PforR) instrument was determined to be best suited for the World Bank’s support to GoI’s large and transformative program. GoI’s FRBM relaxation and RDSS program are results-linked schemes that will provide financial assistance to Discoms based on meeting a pre-qualifying criterion and achieving basic minimum benchmarks in reforms. This structure of the GoI program lends itself directly to the structure of the PforR instrument. A PforR operation will (a) provide stronger focus on the implementation of critical reforms and initiatives in electricity distribution in alignment with GoI’s FRBM relaxation and RDSS scheme, (b) improve the capacity of government agencies to deliver the program through their own systems and procedures, and (c) provide flexibility and efficiency in supporting an ambitious government program.
The environmental and social risk management policies related to both P4R Program and IPF will be applied for this project. An Environmental and Social System Assessment (ESSA) of REC Ltd will be conducted, consulted, and disclosed by the Bank to evaluate REC Ltd.’s capacity to manage the risk related to Environmental and Social aspects under the project program. The ESF applies only to the TA component which is financed through IPF. The proposed activities under both the P4R and IPF have no physical environmental and social footprints.
1.Amol Gupta,
Senior Energy Specialist/ Team Leader (ADM Responsible)
Telephone:5220+47791
Email Id:amolgupta@worldbank.org
2.Rohit Mittal,
Senior Energy Specialist/ Team Leader
Telephone No: 5785+47754
Email Id: rmittal@worldbank.org
BORROWER AND IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:
REC Limited
SKG Rahate, Chairman and Managing Director
Telephone No: 91-11-43091500
Email Id: cmd@recl.in
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
To submit an information request for project information, you will have to create an account to access the Access to Information request form. You can learn more about this process at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/access-to-information/request-submission
ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF THE WORLD BANK
The World Bank Inspection Panel is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by a World Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Inspection Panel, they may investigate to assess whether the World Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can contact the Inspection Panel or submit a complaint by emailing ipanel@worldbank.org. Information on how to file a complaint and a complaint request form are available at: https://www.inspectionpanel.org/how-to-file-complaint
