Punjab takes step to check power theft, transmission losses

Punjab government today said it has been able to bring down power demand during peak time by 1,000 MW and save 1200 million units annually by taking a host of measures including curbing power theft and reducing T&D losses.
Punjab State Power Corporation has implemented major initiatives to control theft of energy and scaling down T&D losses, an official spokesman said.
"Such measures have resulted in dropping of peak demand by about 1000 MW and saving of 1200 MUs annually," the spokesman said.
Measures included shifting of low voltage distribution system to high voltage distribution system, replacement of ordinary lamps with CFLs, addition of capacitors, shifting of meters outside consumers premises, etc.

He further said Punjab will also be the first state in the country to have all urban areas with underground power cables network in order to have a wire free roads and uninterrupted power supply with a investment of Rs 2,000 crore in next two years.
The official also said a sum of Rs 469 crore would be spent during current fiscal on 33 KV and 66 KV transmission lines, grid upgradation and constructions whereas Rs 515 crore and Rs 568 crore have been earmarked for the same purpose in the next two years.