PSEB yet to enforce decision of 2006
Cutting transmission losses
Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 11
Despite being on the verge of financial collapse, the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) is yet to implement its policy decision of 2006 to bring operational efficiency by cutting down transmission and distribution losses.

The board, which had identified domestic consumption as the thrust area and decided to install meters outside consumer’s premises, is yet to cover any substantial area in any part of the state under this drive. In fact the drive, which has resulted in coverage of four feeders in the Patiala Circle and witnessing work in three others, is suffering because due to unavailability of PVC cables and simple things like iron angles.

Sources said board engineers were finding it difficult to take measures to reduce losses as more stress was being laid on populist issues like creating new grids. Chief engineer (operations), Patiala Amrik Singh admitted there was ‘temporary shortage’ of PVC cables but said his circle was the first in the board to tackle transmission and distribution losses in a focused manner at the feeder level.

Member, distribution H. S. Brar said there was no shortage of PVC cables. He said the drive to reduce T and D losses was ongoing and efforts in this regard had already reduced T and D losses by 3.5 per cent in six months compared to the same period last year.

Former board engineers contest this claim, saying metered sale has gone down since 2006. They claim too little is being done and too slowly and assert reducing losses is the only way the board can meet the present demand- supply gap. Former chief engineer Padamjit Singh, adds, “No other magic can work, as an increase in generation through the Talwandi Sabo thermal plant will take at least five years”.

Former chief engineer Virinder Singh, who had moved this as well as earlier proposals to bring in operational efficiency, says he is surprised the board is yet to take up this scheme while other states, including Andhra Pradesh, had already started implementing it after studying the results of the PSEB pilot project.

According to a study by the Patiala West Division under XEN Bhupinder Singh, who has initiated loss reduction measures at feeder levels, said the PSEB could make saving of around Rs 1500 crore per annum if it implements this scheme in the state. He said this would also result in cutting down T and D losses from the present 23 per cent to around 15 per cent.

The study, which has also been presented to the top board management, says the board will need Rs 120 crore for around 30 lakh urban consumers to install meter cupboards on poles outside their houses. This money is recoverable in two months.

In rural areas the study says it will cost more to reduce T and D losses, as meters have to be installed in pillar-boxes and more transformers have to be installed. Cost of Rs 500 crore has been worked out for doing this with a projected payback in six months.