Sterlite Power Acquires 64.98% Equity Stake in MTCIL JV for OPGW Fiber Network in Maharashtra

Power transmission infrastructure developer Sterlite Power has acquired a 64.98 per cent equity stake in Maharashtra Transmission Communication Infrastructure Ltd (MTCIL), a joint venture with Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (MSETCL), from Sterlite Technologies Ltd.
 
MTCIL is a Public-Private Partnership for OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) Fiber networks operating on a ‘BOOM’ model. It is operating a fiber network of ~3,162 kms across 35 Co-locations, serving Telcos, ISPs and data centers in Maharashtra.
 
Sterlite Power said that this acquisition is in line with its strategy to establish a strong OPGW fiber network in the country utilizing overhead Right-of-way of power utilities.
 
Commenting on the acquisition, Pratik Agarwal, Managing Director, Sterlite Power, said, “OPGW fiber networks offer a reliable data delivery solution and help leverage the existing power utility infrastructure for telecommunications purposes. We intend to replicate this PPP OPGW model in other parts of the country. Such large-scale OPGW fiber roll-out is essential to achieve the ‘Digital India’ vision aimed at transforming the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.”
 
The company has a portfolio of 28 projects covering approx 13,950 circuit Kms of transmission lines across India and Brazil. It also manufactures high-performance power conductors, extra-high voltage (EHV) cables and optical ground wires (OPGW). The company provides bespoke solutions for the upgrade, uprate and fiberization of existing transmission infrastructure projects.