Lucknow, 12 July: The UP energy department has received a proposal to put up China-made equipment utilized for assimilation of power usage in the Madhyanchal Distribution Company’s multi-point electricity metering system. The idea directly contradicts the rules issued by the Ministry of Power, which recognize the susceptibility of the power supply system and network to cyber attacks via malware contained in “imported” equipment.
Capital Power System Ltd of Noida has proposed putting a “gateway device” between smart meters in residential units and the UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL). The China-made equipment, if implemented, will serve as an interface in apartments built in 19 districts, including Lucknow, Ayodhya, Budaun, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Hardoi, Sitapur, Unnao, Bahraich, Shrawasti, Balrampur, Gonda , Barabanki, Rae Bareli, Sultanpur, Ambedkarnagar and Amethi.
The gateway was purchased from Bay Area Compliance Laboratories Corporation, Shenzhen, China, according to the proposal. It has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. The gateway collects data from the smart meter and forwards it to the UPPCL’s “head end system or systems (HES).” Because HES sends information to the meter via the gateway, it provides bidirectional communication.
While Madhyanchal Discom MD Bhawani Singh did not reply to repeated phone calls, a top UPPCL official stated that any such key installation must be done in accordance with the ministry of power’s guidelines.
Awanish Awasthi, additional chief secretary (energy), stated that he was “unaware” of the proposal.
Raj Pratap Singh, chairman of the UP Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC), stated that the matter must be handled at the level of UPPCL.
Shailendra Dubey, head of the All India Power Engineers Organization (AIPEF), stated that the federation has been opposed to the installation of Chinese equipment from the start.
