Srinagar: The Power Department has enhanced electricity supply in Kashmir by over 17 per cent in comparison to last year.
As per the details accessed by Greater Kashmir, on November 5, Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) supplied 357.79 lakh units of power which is 17.5 percent higher than the energy supplied last year. In November 2020, KPDCL was to supply 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, 1694 MW of power is supplied which is the highest ever peak load served, also 15 percent higher than last year 1450 in 2020.
Chief Engineer 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 people are not listening and continue to resort to power pilferage.”
“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 3 hours power cuts and metered areas 1.5 hours power cuts.
However, officials say that “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.”
It is pertinent to mention that during winter’s local hydropower generation in UT of J&K see a drastic dip as a result of which majority of the energy consumed here is being imported from outside Discoms.
Jammu and Kashmir spends Rs 6200 Cr annually on power purchases while its revenue realization is just Rs 2600 crore on account of tariff collected from consumers.
Despite having the capacity to generate 20000 MW of hydropower, only 3500 MW of electricity could be harnessed after 1947. Now the PM Modi-led government sanctioned hydro projects of 3400 MW in two years. “We would generate the same amount of electricity in the next four to five years that was generated in the last seven decades,” a senior official said.