Sterlite Power Acquires 65% Stake in MTCIL to Develop OPGW Network
Sterlite Power has acquired 64.98% stake in Maharashtra Transmission Communication Infrastructure Limited (MTCIL), which was a joint venture between Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL) and Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (MSETCL). Sterlite Power bought the stake formerly owned by STL in the joint venture, as per a Sterlite Power press release dated 18th April 2022.
MTCIL is a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) for the development of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) network on a Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (BOOM) basis.
Optical Ground Wires (OPGW) and Their Application
An optical ground wire combines the functions of an Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) and an overhead electric power cable. Therefore, OPGW is used in power transmission lines where these cables also serve the purpose for high-speed data transfer either for the internal use of the power utility company or for commercial lease.
OPGW cables can be conveniently mounted on electric pylons, and they are used to substitute earthing wires on power transmission lines which are used for shielding high voltage conductors from lightning strikes.
MTCIL and Sterlite’s Vision to Establish Strong OPGW Networks
The company’s 3,162 KM fibre network spans 35 locations and serves Telecom companies, ISPs and Data Centers in Maharashtra.
Talking about the acquisition, Mr. Pratik Agarwal, Managing Director, Sterlite Power, said “OPGW fibre networks offer a reliable data delivery solution and help leverage the existing power utility infrastructure for telecommunications purposes“.
Sterlite has also stated that this acquisition is in agreement with its vision to develop OPGW networks across the country in PPP mode, as it has done in Maharashtra.
Sterlite Technologies Limited had earlier deployed OPGW in Gujarat for Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO), on existing infrastructure for overhead electric transmission wires, as per the information given by the company in September 2017.
About Sterlite Power: Mumbai-headquartered Sterlite Power was incorporated in 2015, and is a major Indian power transmission company. The company has 28 projects in its portfolio, which involve 13,950 circuit Km of transmission lines across India and Brazil.