Transmission and distribution losses for Transco on the rise
Despite reaching an all-time generation capacity of 11,972 MW for 2011-12, AP Transco continues to fight transmission and distribution losses estimating around an annual 15.6 per cent. With the distances increasing between sub-stations, the natural cause of transmission loss has showed a considerable increase. Currently, the power supplies in AP total at a 85,149 MU set against a whopping demand of 91,730 MU. Compared to the all-India average shortage 8.5%, Andhra Pradesh stands at a deficit of 7.2% .
However, authorities at the AP Transco continue to remain optimistic about finding the right solution to reduce transmission loss. Director of transmission, Chenna Reddy said, “We are focussing on line and system improvement. With transmission, the losses increase with the distance between the generation plant and the sub-stations, especially when Hydel power is concerned. For instance, the total transmission loss incurred for the month of April 2012 is 4.42% of the total 7225.38 MU of power input. We are constantly revamping the lines in order to arrest as much loss as possible.”
Statistically, the transmission loss may not seem much but in terms of cost, the numbers are dizzying.
Under guidelines stipulated by AP Electricity Regulatory Commission set up in 2009, AP Transco plans to invest `1124.26 crore in modernisation and renovation, bulk-load works and system improvement to reduce loss in power transmission.
But given the increase in tariff rates owing to the greater demand, the transmission loss incurred in terms of revenue for April 2012 for domestic, non-domestic and industrial slabs gross over a rough estimate of over `750 crore.
Energy conservation and energy auditing remain the need of the hour. Constant maintenance work on the line system coupled by replacement of faulty feeders and a thorough revamp of the existing grid network is necessary to reduce the transmission losses in the State and bridge the demand-supply gap. Power pilferage too plays a minor but important role in transmission loss. Steps need to be taken to ensure setting up of small transformers that check power pilferage especially in rural areas.
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