Technology firm Siemens is modernising the power distribution grids of five cities in India.

It aims to improve the quality and availability of the power supply to residents.

The cities include Amritsar, Jallandhar, Ludhiana, Dehradun and Faridabad in northern India.

As part of the project, Siemens will implement its Spectrum Power network control system and equip the grid which will help monitor supply.

It is part of an energy development programme sponsored by the Indian Government.

The customers are three utility companies, Punjab State Power Corporation, Uttarakhand Power Corporation and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam.

The order volume amounts to a total of around €11 million (£7.8m).

Jan Mrosik, CEO of the Siemens Energy Management Division, said: “Our systems are being successfully used by numerous energy suppliers and grid operators in India where among others our systems reduce the downtimes in the event of blackouts in the grid.”