BSES plans to launch mobile app for power supply transparency

Initially, the app will run only on Android phones, but will be extended to other platforms later

With power tariff being a major poll plank in the Delhi elections, power distribution companies are adopting transparency tools to manage electricity supply. Reliance Power-owned BSES plans to launch a mobile application for its consumers to view consumption, bill details and status of new connection, among others.

BSES will become the first in Delhi and among a handful of power utilities in the world to launch a mobile application. The new tool would make it easier for consumers to access important information and services related to their electricity accounts.

During the last polls, Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had alleged fudging of electricity bills by discoms. The discoms have always contested their quantum of supply is not in tandem with the retail tariff. With AAP promising to halve the electricity bills, discoms are now coming up with innovative measures to educate consumers about the tariff-supply equation.  The BSES app also allows consumers to lodge ‘no supply’ complaints. It will help consumers view their consumption history, bills details (past five bills), status of a new connection and also get energy saving tips.

According to BSES executives, the mobile app will be functional before the next summer. Delhi has a peak demand of 5,000-6,000 Mw during the summer months of June to September, leading to load shedding in parts of the city.

Initially, the app will run only on Android phones, but will be extended other platforms later on. The company will also later add new features. Consumers will be able to download the App from ‘Google Play’ or from www.bsesdelhi.com. BSES will also launch a user-friendly wireless application protocol site for mobile phones — m.bsesdelhi.com. Through this, a consumer can access their bill and connection account on phone, among other things and also get their customercare-related queries answered.