PNS | DEHRADUN
The installation of a smart metering system will play a crucial role in reducing power losses, the managing director of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) Anil Kumar Yadav said. He said this while providing updates on UPCL’s progress in managing power losses over the past few years.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and with the guidance of the secretary (Energy), UPCL has made significant advancements in the power distribution sector. In Uttarakhand, the demand for power supply has increased by over 10 per cent in recent years. To address this, UPCL has established a robust power distribution system and has taken vital steps to enhance operational and business efficiency.
Yadav added that to meet the growing demand, UPCL has strengthened its distribution network in recent years, including the construction of new substations and the establishment of new power lines throughout the state. In the year 2023-24, approximately 4,350 distribution transformers have been installed to maintain a balance of power across all feeders in the state.
He highlighted that central government initiatives such as the AMISP and the Loss Reduction of RDSS Scheme are currently being implemented. The primary objective of these schemes is to reduce power losses and ensure a high-quality power supply to consumers.
Additionally, Yadav noted that UPCL has improved its billing and collection efficiency over the past five years, achieving a remarkable reduction of approximately 5.8 per cent in I-C losses.
The managing director of UPCL emphasised that reducing I-B losses is crucial for improving the financial health of the distribution company. Decreased losses lead to increased revenue, technological advancements, a better balance in demand and supply and ultimately, savings that enable electricity to be offered to consumers at lower rates, he said. Yadav stated that the installation of smart metering systems, along with the use of technologies such as SCADA and RT-DAS systems, will also play an essential role in further diminishing power losses.
