Power distribution losses of Rs 69,108 cr reported in 2012-13

Transmission loss was the highest in Bihar at 54.63% and the lowest in Kerala at 9.13% followed by 9.53% in Himachal Pradesh, says Piyush Goyal

Distribution losses, including theft, have caused a staggering Rs 69,108 crore damage to power utilities in 2012-13, Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal said today.

These losses include distribution losses including theft of electricity, gap between average cost of supply and average revenue realisation, inadequate metering, poor billing and collection efficiency, the Minister said in Rajya Sabha.

The aggregate losses, after tax on accrual basis, incurred by utilities selling directly to the consumers was Rs 69,108 crore during 2012-13, he said while replying to a question during Question Hour.

The Minister said the transmission loss was the highest in Bihar at 54.63% and the lowest in Kerala at 9.13% followed by 9.53% in Himachal Pradesh.

He said peak power shortage in the country reported by states during April-January period of the current fiscal stood at 7,006 MW.

"As on February 21, 6,114 MW capacity of power plants is under planned maintenance. 2,479.9 MW of state-owned power generating capacity is presently under renovation and modernisation," Goyal said.

Replying to another question, he said a target of 1,000 units per capita electricity consumption has been set for the year 2014-15 compared to 957 units in 2013-14.

Goyal said an estimated $250 billion investment target has been set for the power sector in next 4-5 years.

Of this, $100 billion was planned to be used in the renewables, $50 billion in transmission and distribution sector, $60-70 billion in the power generation sector and $25 billion for the modernisation of old plants among others.