ABB India Limited (BSE: 500002, NSE: ABB) has announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership with THINK Gas Private Limited, aimed at driving digital innovation in city gas distribution across India. This collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability in the natural gas sector.

Transforming Gas Distribution with Digital Innovation

The partnership centers around the successful implementation of ABB's cutting-edge ABB Ability™ SCADAvantage solution for THINK Gas. This advanced system enables end-to-end automation and digitalization of THINK Gas's extensive City Gas Distribution (CGD) network, which spans across ten Indian states.

Impressive Network Coverage

THINK Gas's network is expansive, covering 19 Geographical Areas (GAs) across Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The infrastructure includes:

• Over 500 CNG stations
• Approximately 550,000 registered DPNG connections
• Around 17,000 inch-km of steel pipeline connecting industrial and commercial establishments

Centralized Operations and Real-time Visibility

ABB's cloud-based automation platform allows THINK Gas to centralize its operations and gain real-time visibility of its CGD networks from a control room in Chennai. This centralization brings numerous benefits:

• Centralized price management and billing
• Improved gas planning and reconciliation
• Enhanced pressure and flow control
• Increased data accuracy and integrity

Significant Cost Savings and Operational Improvements

The implementation of ABB's automation system has led to remarkable improvements in THINK Gas's operations:

• Up to 60% reduction in gas distribution operational costs
• Significant optimization of manpower requirements
• Improved process times and enhanced responsiveness
• Greater control of operational parameters across the CGD network

Executive Insights

Chiradeep Datta, Chief Operating Officer of THINK Gas, emphasized the company's commitment to adopting global best practices and leveraging cutting-edge technology. He stated, "By digitalizing and centralizing our natural gas distribution networks, we have significantly boosted operational efficiency, optimized manpower requirement and leveraged real-time data to make better decisions."

G Balaji, SVP of the Energy Industries division at ABB India, highlighted the importance of such technological solutions in India's energy initiatives. He noted, "As India scales up its energy initiatives in step with the increasing demand, ABB technology solutions like SCADAvantage are set to play an important role in achieving operational excellence across the country's energy value chain."

Alignment with India's Energy Goals

This partnership aligns with India's commitment to increase natural gas usage to 15% of its energy mix by 2030. The country has seen significant expansion in its CGD infrastructure over the past decade, supporting the supply of Piped Natural Gas to households, industrial and commercial units, as well as Compressed Natural Gas for vehicles.

About the Companies

ABB India Limited is a subsidiary of ABB, a global technology leader in electrification and automation. The company focuses on creating sustainable and resource-efficient solutions across various industries.

THINK Gas, formed from the merger of AG&P Pratham and THINK Gas, is a leading player in the Indian City Gas Distribution business. It holds 19 CGD licenses and aims to develop extensive infrastructure to provide natural gas across 50 districts in 10 states.

This strategic partnership between ABB India and THINK Gas represents a significant step forward in the digitalization and efficiency of India's natural gas distribution network, promising to deliver substantial benefits to both companies and consumers alike.

ABB India Limited has announced a crucial board meeting scheduled for August 2, where key financial decisions are expected to be made. The company, a prominent player in the industrial technology sector, has set the stage for potentially significant developments that could impact investors.

Financial Results and Dividend Consideration

The board of directors is set to convene to approve the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30. This quarterly review will provide insights into the company's performance during the second quarter of the year.

In addition to reviewing the financial results, the board will also consider declaring an interim dividend on equity shares for the current financial year. If approved, this could be welcome news for shareholders looking for returns on their investments.

Record Date and Trading Window

As part of the dividend consideration process, the board will also discuss fixing the record date for the potential interim dividend. This date will determine which shareholders are eligible to receive the dividend, if declared.

In line with regulatory requirements and to ensure fair trading practices, ABB India has implemented a trading window closure. The company has stated that the trading window for its securities will remain closed for all directors and designated employees until August 4. This measure is designed to prevent insider trading and maintain market integrity during this sensitive period.

Regulatory Compliance

The announcement of this board meeting aligns with the company's obligations under Regulation 29 (1) (e) of the SEBI Listing Regulations, 2015. ABB India has duly informed both the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited about the scheduled meeting, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.

Looking Ahead

Investors and market analysts will be keenly watching the outcome of this board meeting, as it could provide valuable insights into ABB India's financial health and its approach to shareholder returns in the current fiscal year. The results of the meeting, including the financial performance for Q2 and any decision on the interim dividend, are expected to be communicated to the stock exchanges shortly after the board meeting concludes.

As the date approaches, stakeholders will be eagerly anticipating the announcements that could shape ABB India's financial narrative for the remainder of the year.