6 lakh smart metres in J&K slash power losses by 15%

Srinagar, Nov 1: Amid stiff resistance at several places across Jammu and Kashmir, the Power Development Department (PDD) has installed 5.99 lakh smart meters across J&K.

Officials have announced plans to achieve complete smart metering coverage by 2026.

According to official data, the smart meter installation has proceeded in two phases under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), with 1.25 lakh meters installed in Phase I and 4.74 lakh in Phase II.

The initiative has already demonstrated substantial results in revenue collection, with Rs 1,658.25 crore realised in the current fiscal year 2024-25, including Rs 359.13 crore in August 2024 alone.

The implementation of smart meters has led to a 15 percent reduction in power losses and a 10 percent improvement in tariff realisation for the fiscal year 2023-24.

According to PDD officials, areas with complete smart meter coverage are reporting significantly improved power supply.

However, J&K continues to face considerable challenges in its power sector.

The AT&C losses remain stubbornly high at 44 percent, well above the national average of 15.9 percent.

J&K’s heavy dependence on external power sources has resulted in a substantial financial burden, with approximately Rs 75,000 crore spent on power purchases from 2012-13 to 2023-24.

In the fiscal year 2022-23 alone, the government’s power purchase bill exceeded Rs 8500 crore.

Looking ahead, the PDD anticipates a 10 percent increase in consumption, projecting usage to rise from 20,400 million units last year to over 22,000 million units this year.

To address this growing demand, the government has embarked on an ambitious plan to double its hydropower generation capacity from the current 3500 MW.

In collaboration with NHPC, the government has initiated five mega hydropower projects: Ratle (824 MW), Kirthai-II (930 MW), Sawalakote (1,856 MW), Dulhasti-Stage II (258 MW), and Uri-I Stage-II (240 MW). These projects, with a combined capacity of 4134 MW, represent an investment of Rs 34,882 crore and are expected to make J&K power surplus upon completion.

A PDD official highlighted that J&K was previously the only union territory providing unmetered electricity to consumers.

The department is now focused on converting the entire consumer base to modern prepaid metering systems.

Significant progress has been made in expanding transmission capacity, which has grown by 50 percent during 2019-24.

The modernisation drive has reached even remote areas, with the Gurez Valley in north Kashmir being successfully connected to the electricity grid.

This achievement underscores the government’s commitment to comprehensive rural electrification.

Despite these advances, financial challenges persist.

The J&K government will allocate approximately 6 percent of its annual budget for 2024-25 to power purchases, reflecting the ongoing costs of meeting the region’s power needs.

Officials remain optimistic that the continued installation of smart meters and infrastructure improvements will eventually lead to reduced power losses and more efficient distribution across J&K.