CESC Ltd (CESC) is an integrated power utility company engaged in the generation and distribution of electricity. The company's operation is spanning the entire value chain: right from mining coal, generating power, distribution of power. They serve 2.9 million customers within 567 square kilometers of Kolkata and Howrah, delivering safe, cost-effective and reliable energy to their consumers. The company operates in three segments, namely Power, which is engaged in the generation and distribution of electricity; retail, which is engaged in organized retailing, and property, which is involved in property development. CESC Ltd was incorporated on March 28, 1978 with the name The Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (India) Ltd. In the year 1983, the company commissioned the Titagarh generating station, with a capacity of 240 MW, which marked the beginning of a new approach to solve the state's power shortage. In January 1, 1987, the company changed their name to CESC Ltd.In the year 1988, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Consultancy & Contracts Division of Neyveli Lignite Corporation for cabling work. A MoU was signed between the Consultancy & Contracts Division and MECON; a public sector consultancy firm to jointly undertake consultancy and construction contracts in power and engineering field both in and outside the India. The 135MW Southern Generating Station was completed in the shortest possible time. The first unit commenced supply in September of the year 1990, followed by the second unit in May of the year 1991. In the year 1991, the company received all statutory clearances for the 500 MW power stations at Budge. In the year 1995, the company promoted a new company under the name of Integrated Coal Mining Pvt Ltd to undertake the work particularly for power companies to be directly involved in mining. In the year 1996, the company had endorsed a new company namely Balagarh Power Company Ltd, for setting up a 1500 MW thermal power station. In the year 1997, The Sunday Times of India gave the highest rating to CESC's Calcutta - 10 out of 10 on the power position, when compared to other metropolitan cities of India. Budge Budge's boiler of the first unit was lighted up on March 30, 1997. The second unit was synchronized on March 6, 1999.In the year 2001, the company's Titagarh Thermal Power Station was awarded the ISO 9002 certification. In the year 2003, Chemithon Engineers Ltd along with Heavy Water Board of the Government started work on development of a process to bring down emission levels at the company. Also, the company unveiled multi-pronged scheme to curb pollution at its thermal power facilities. In the year 2004, Hindustan Lever Ltd made a tie up with the company for sampling of Pepsodent toothpaste. Also, the company made an alliance with PTC. In the year 2005, the company made a tie up with Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC) to repay debt and signed a MoU with Government of Jharkhand. In March 21, 2007, the company was awarded a Bronze shield for the outstanding performance of their Budge Budge station amongst all coal and lignite fired power stations in India.During the year 2007-08, Spencer's Retail Limited (SRL), a well established company engaged in the business of operating and managing a large chain of retail stores across India with ambitious growth plans for the future, became a subsidiary company with effect from April 1, 2007 with the company's holding being 94.7% in SRL.During the year 2008-09, the company's Budge Budge Generating Station won the Green Tech Foundation 'Environment Excellence Gold Award'. In February 2010, the third unit of 250 MW at Budge Budge Generating Station was commissioned, together with an associated power evacuation system comprising 89 km of 220 kV double circuit transmission lines. Simultaneously, the 220 kV Eastern Metropolitan Substation with three 160 MVA, 220/132/33 kV transformers was also commissioned.During the year 2010-11, the company formed two subsidiaries, namely Bantal Singapore Pte Ltd and CESC Projects Pvt Ltd. The plant capacity at the Southern Receiving Station was augmented by replacing the existing 55 MVA 132/33 kV transformer with a 75 MVA transformer. They commissioned on new distribution station and the plant capacities at eight other were increased.In 2012, the company has entered into agreements for taking over from Indiabulls Group two hydroelectric power projects of an aggregate capacity of 146 MW in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.For the aforesaid purpose; the company has acquired entire shares of Pachi Hydro Power Projects Limited and Papu Hydropower Projects Limited. RPG Group bought Firstsource solutions there by marking a foothold in IT space.In 2013, the company executed the first 300 MW Thermal Power Unit of 2 X 300 MW project at Chandrapur. Maharashtra by Dhariwal Infrastructure Limited In 2014, the company was awarded, Top Infrastructure Company Award under 'Power Distribution' Category by Dun & Bradstreet Infra Awards 2014. The company also won Asian Power Awards 2014 in the category of Innovative Power Technology of the Year.In 2015, the company signs MoU with Silver Spring for smart grid business. The company won the rights to operate the Pune franchise of the Indian Premier League for a period of two years. The company also launches Mobile App for consumers' convenience.On 20 May 2016, CESC announced that the company has won the bids floated by Jaipur Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited (JVVNL) and have been appointed by JVVNL as distribution franchisees for the cities of Kota and Bharatpur in the state of Rajasthan for distribution and supply of electricity for a term of twenty years each.On 6 Feb 2017, CESC announced that the company has emerged as the winner of a bid floated by Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JdVVNL) and has been appointed by JdVVNL as the electricity distribution franchisee for the city of Bikaner in the state of Rajasthan for a term of twenty years.The Board of Directors of CESC approved a business restructuring scheme at its meeting held on 18 May 2017. The business restructuring Scheme aims to simplify the present corporate structure. The objective is to focus on the individual businesses to enhance efficiencies, accelerate growth, facilitate access to capital and unlock shareholders' value. The Scheme provides for demerger of certain existing businesses. This will lead to four entities focusing on generation, distribution, organized retail and other ventures. CESC and the three resultant entities will be listed on the Stock Exchanges. Shareholding of resulting entity will mirror that of CESC. Post the restructuring, a CESC shareholder against every 10 CESC shares will have 18 fully paid shares in the resultant four companies - 5 shares each in CESC Ltd. and CESC Generation Ltd., 6 shares in Spencer's Retail Ltd. and 2 shares in CESC Ventures Ltd. Spencer's Retail shares will be of face value Rs 5 each and the rest of face value Rs 10 each.After the completion of the restructuring exercise, CESC will be a pure play power distribution company. CESC Generation will be a pure play power generation company with a portfolio of thermal, wind and solar assets. Spencer's Retail will emerge as a debt free company poised to capture the growth in (food first) organized retail business with significant focus on newly launched apparel brand (2Bme). CESC Ventures will own BPM business, Shopping Mall and FMCG businesses..