Power Ministry mandates energy accounting of discoms to reduce electricity losses

As an important step under the ongoing power sector reforms, the Ministry of Power on Monday mandated electricity distribution companies (discoms) to undertake energy accounting on a periodic basis.

"The regulation, in this regard, was issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) with the approval of the Ministry of Power, under the provisions of the Energy Conservation (EC) Act, 2001," read an official statement by the Ministry of Power. Also read | Seven judges transferred to other HCs The notification stipulates quarterly energy accounting by distribution companies (discoms), through a certified energy manager, within 60 days. There will also be the annual energy audit by an independent accredited energy auditor. Both these reports will be published in the public domain. Energy accounting reports will provide detailed information about electricity consumption by different categories of consumers and the transmission and distribution losses in various areas. It will identify areas of high loses and theft and enable corrective action. This measure will also enable fixation of responsibility on officers for losses and theft. The data will enable the discoms to take appropriate measure for reducing their electricity losses. The discoms will be able to plan for suitable infrastructure up-gradation as well as demand-side management (DSM) efforts in an effective manner. Also read | Punjab: Raja Warring writes to Kejriwal, seeks resumption of bus service to Delhi airport This initiative will further contribute towards India's climate actions in meeting Paris Agreement Goals. These regulations have been issued under the ambit of Energy Conservation Act, 2001, with an overall objective to reduce distribution sector in-efficiency and losses thereby moving towards the economic viability of discoms. -PTC News