Villages now get 19 hours of power, up from 16.39

Q/ What were the biggest challenges the department inherited in 2017?

A/ High distribution losses and low collection efficiency. Distribution losses in FY 2016-17 were 21.67 per cent and collection efficiency was 76.78 per cent. About 38 per cent of the total consumers (69 lakh of 1.80 crore users) were un-metered. Apart from this, high-cost power purchase agreements (PPA) executed in the past were a major burden. As tariff for rural domestic and agriculture categories was extremely low, discoms (distribution companies) could not charge full cost.

Q/ How are these challenges being tackled?

A/ Uttar Pradesh discoms have reduced AT&C (aggregate technical and commercial) losses from 40.97 per cent in FY 2016-17 to 30.02 per cent in FY 2019-20. This is an unprecedented reduction. It happened despite adding many rural consumers under the Saubhagaya scheme (a Central project to provide electricity to households). The subsidy from the state was increased to Rs12,500 crore (from Rs6,000 crore).

Q/ How have you tackled the problems of losses in power distribution and realisation of arrears?

A/ The overall distribution losses for UP discoms reduced from 21.67 per cent in FY 2016-17 to 18.48 per cent in FY 2019-20. During the said period, several strategic initiatives were implemented, (including) appointment of new billing agencies, segregation of rural agriculture feeders, establishment of special police stations, increase of vigilance squads, replacement of LT (low tension) lines with underground cables in congested and densely populated areas, installation of armoured cables for new service connections, monthly energy audit of rural and urban feeders, installation of smart meters in high loss areas, metering of un-metered consumers and rigorous monitoring by the top management of UPPCL (UP Power Corporation Limited) and discoms.

Q/ On an average, how much has electricity supply improved since 2017?

A/ UPPCL has extended power supply in villages to approximately 19 hours in the FY 2019-20 from 16.39 hours in 2016-17. In the same period, in Bundelkhand, supply increased from 20.47 hours to 21.10 hours. We have also ensured constant supply in the evening peak hours. Peak demand recorded in 2019-20 was 34 per cent higher than that recorded in 2016-17.

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