73% UPPCL substations in red zone due to high ATC losses

ANALYSIS Varanasi discom has maximum number of red zone substations

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) has categorised over 73% of its distribution power substations as being in the red zone due to very high aggregate technical and commercial (ATC) losses of up to 38%.

Losses above the permissible 10 -15% limit are attributed to power pilferage and poor bill collection.

In May, energy minister Shrikant Sharma had directed UPPCL to ensure discom-wise categorisation of substations in green, orange and red zones. The substations were to be classified in these zones, depending on their ATC losses or the total electricity that is paid for after distribution to consumers from a substation.

According to UPPCL managing director M Devraj’s letter to all discoms after the zone classification in June, 3,236 of the total 4,418 substations in the state were put in the red zone as their losses were found to be more than the concerning discom’s average losses. This is more than 73% of UPPCL’s total distribution substations.

Another 437 substations were categorized as being in the orange zone as their ATC losses were between 15% and 37.97%.

Only 745 substations with losses below 15% were declared as green zones.

The Varanasi distribution company (discom) has the maximum number of red zone substations. In all, 832 of the 1007 substations under Varanasi discom had ATC losses above37.97%. As many as 117 substations of this discom are in the orange zone and 58 in the green zone.

The Meerut discom has the second highest number of substations, 864 out of 1,370 in the red zone.

The basis of losses considered for the purpose was above 22.71%. The Meerut discom also has 115 substations in the orange zone and 391 in the green zone.

Under the Agra discom, 796 of 1040 substations were classified as being in the red zone as their losses were over 36.51%. Another 123 were categorised as being in the orange zone and 121 in the green zone. Similarly, 864 of the 897 substations under the Lucknow discom were put in the red zone as their losses were over 22.71%.

The Lucknow discom has 115 orange zone and 391 green zone substations.

The basis for declaring substations under Kesco (Kanpur

864 OF THE 897 SUBSTATIONS UNDER THE LUCKNOW DISCOM WERE PUT IN THE RED ZONE AS THEIR LOSSES WERE OVER 22.71%. LUCKNOW DISCOM HAS 115 ORANGE & 391 GREEN ZONE SUBSTATIONS.

Electricity Supply Company Limited) in the red zones was over 17.68% ATC losses.

On this basis, 62 substations in Kanpur were put in the red zone. Another six were in the orange zone and 36 in the green zone.

“ATC losses of substations in the red and orange zones must be found out and analysed and efforts be made to bring them in the green zone by launching a drive,” Devraj told discom MDs in his letter.

A senior UPPLC official said the energy minister was ensuring strict monitoring and holding substations accountable for reducing the losses.