M Haziq Pandit
Despite facing a shortfall of about 500 MW power supply across Jammu and Kashmir, it seems a hard task for the newly elected chief minister Omar Abdullah to fulfil the promise of providing free electricity to the tune of 200 units to each household across UT of Jammu and Kashmir, following his election promise in September/October.
Notwithstanding his authority to provide a free power supply of 200 units to the people given the new administrative structure in the union territory, LG Manoj Sinha still holds UT’s kitty. But the people have attached expectations of relief from the burden of the electric tariff.
Interestingly, according to the PDD website, the corporation currently operates 21 hydroelectric projects with a total installed capacity of 758.70 MW across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir, including the 450 MW Baglihar Hydroelectric Project (BHEP). Additionally, the Corporation has gas turbines powered by High-Speed Diesel (HSD) with an installed capacity of 175 MW located in Pampore, near Srinagar. In line with the State Hydel Policy of 2003, JKSPDC has allocated 10 small hydroelectric projects under the Independent Power Producer (IPP) phase-I, which collectively have a capacity of 110.50 MW.
Despite these resources, the supply in Jammu and Kashmir falls short of the current demand, which is approximately 2,600 MW for its consumers. The Kashmir division receives only about 1,200 MW, while Jammu is supplied with 900 MW.
According to officials from the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL), the electricity demand in Kashmir has exceeded its supply due to chilly weather, resulting in a significant power deficit during the initial months of the impending winter season, particularly in the Kashmir valley.
Firdousa Akthar, a widow, who resides in the Dandarkha slum in the Magarmal Bagh area here said, “I only use two bulbs and a cooking heater, yet my monthly electricity bill still comes to Rs 2,000.” The woman struggles to pay the tariff online due to her lack of education, which further adds to her difficulties.
Mohammad Latif Khan, of Khanyar in Srinagar, said, “My father, who is in his 70s, suffers from COPD. We had to invest in a generator to ensure his oxygen concentrator operates without interruptions. Unfortunately, not all families can afford a generator. Prolonged power outages can be life-threatening for patients like him.”
“What’s the purpose of installing smart meters if they can’t ensure reliable electricity?” asked Muzaffar Ahmad, a resident of Jawahar Nagar. “We’re only getting 9 hours of power, which is insufficient for our daily needs.”
The PDD officials noted that the current electricity load requirement for Kashmir is a remarkable 1,400 MW for 6 hours daily and 1,000 MW for the remaining 18 hours.
Even the regions designated by the KPDCL for uninterrupted power supply have been affected by outages. More than 40 feeders in these areas are experiencing daily power cuts of 5 to 6 hours, leading to significant difficulties for residents and businesses alike.
It’s worth noting that the power sector in Jammu and Kashmir is still grappling with significant challenges, with its Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses ranking among the highest in India. Recent data shows that these losses have improved, declining from 63% in 2021-22 to 44% in 2023-24. However, this remains alarmingly above the national average of about 15%.
“The J&K Power Department is experiencing one of the highest AT&C losses in the country, currently at 44%, compared to the national average of 15.9%. This substantial loss creates a significant gap between the expenses related to power purchases and the revenue generated,” an official said.
AT&C losses consist of technical losses due to limitations in infrastructure as well as commercial losses resulting from issues like billing mistakes, theft, and unpaid bills. The high rate of losses in Jammu and Kashmir is linked to several factors, including the region’s challenging geography.
“The extensive low-tension (LT) lines that deliver electricity to far-flung and isolated homes in the mountainous regions lead to considerable I2R losses, which significantly increase the cost of power supply in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Meanwhile, in a significant development, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MN&RE) has disbursed a central subsidy of Rs 48.73 lakh to 57 domestic consumers under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in the Kashmir Division. This funding was allocated just one week after the commissioning of their rooftop solar plants by KPDCL’s technical teams.
The central subsidy for an additional 71 beneficiaries has already been approved by MN&RE and will be directly deposited into their accounts via DBT mode.
In a press statement issued today, a KPDCL spokesman said that beneficiaries of the central subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana are also eligible for an additional UT subsidy of Rs 9,000 for solar plants with a capacity of up to 3 KWP, which will be released soon.
The KPDCL spokesman emphasized that subsidies for consumers are issued in real-time for those whose documentation is fully complete on the National PM Surya Ghar Portal.
“Domestic consumers in the Kashmir Division are urged to take full advantage of the heavily subsidized scheme, which provides up to 60% support,” the spokesperson said. “Currently, 1,105 consumers have selected their approved vendors and are at different stages of procuring solar plant equipment. To date, 169 rooftops have been installed, totalling 671.37 kW, with an average capacity of 4 KWP per installation.”
KPDCL is anticipating the next release of a Central subsidy totalling Rs. 61.77 lahks for 72 beneficiaries whose claims have already been approved.
The spokesperson expressed confidence that with 1,105 vendors already selected by consumers, the installed capacity is expected to reach 3.5 MW over the next two months, significantly easing the demand on grid supply.
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