KPDCL enhances power supply by 17 percent in Kashmir

As per the details accessed, on November 5, the KPDCL supplied 357.79 lakh units of power, which is 17.5 percent higher than the energy supplied last year.

In November last year, the KPDCL had the target of supplying 304.60 lakh units of energy.

Officials informed that KPDCL is supplying the highest ever peak load served in Kashmir so far.

As per the figures, 1,694 MW of power is supplied which is also 15 percent higher than last year's 1,450 MW in 2020.

Chief Engineer for the KPDCL Distribution, Aijaz Ahmad Dar, said: “Energy supplied has increased but yet the revenue realization is the same as last year, which implies higher AT&C losses despite our repeated efforts."

“We have no other option than to resort to power curtailments with the onset of winter, as the demand has peaked despite our supply seeing an increase of over 15 percent. Use of heating gadgets, power thefts, and non-judicious use of power is causing problems and burdening our system. I am sure if people will use electricity rationally and as per their agreement, we won't have to resort to power cuts,” Dar said.

On Saturday, KPDCL announced its first winter power curtailment schedule.

According to which, non-metered areas will face three hour long power cuts and metered areas 1.5 hours power cuts.

However, officials said: “Curtailment schedule which will be revised in coming days and the curtailment hours are likely to increase, as power demand will see further rise due to cold conditions.”

Jammu and Kashmir spends Rs 6,200 crore annually on power purchases, while its revenue realization is just Rs 2,600 crore on account of tariff collected from consumers.