50% AT&C Losses as a Result of Unprecedented Power Cuts: J&K Power Dept.

Aggregate Technical & Commercial losses have gone over 50 percent as a result of the unprecedented load-shedding.

The power department has resorted to curtailment schedule in order to overcome power shortage. non-metered areas are facing eight-and-a-half-hour power cuts, while the metered areas face four-and-a-half-hour power cuts every day, as per the schedule.

A senior official said, “Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses in J&K are very high. The reasons for such losses are technical as well as commercial. To minimize the losses, the system needs up-gradation and improvement especially in existing outdated distribution network. If a grid station supplies 100 MW of power, only 50 MW reach the consumers due to outdated transmission system.”

“We are putting in all efforts to reduce AT&C losses by initiating a slew of reforms which include up-gradation of transmission and distribution system, grid stations and 100 percent metering,” as per the Chief Engineer Power Department Kashmir, Aijaz Ahmad.

The estimated hydro power potential of J&K is 20,000 Megawatts, of which about 16475 MW have been identified. This comprises 11283 MW in Chenab basin, 3084 MW in Jhelum basin, 500 MW in Ravi basin and 1608 MW in Indus basin, according to the official figures.