Low Energy, a new scenario in Tamil Nadu

About eight years ago, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) had taken up an expansive modernisation exercise, mostly with Central funding, to ensure better service and satisfaction for its millions of consumers. The scheme, called the R-APDRP (Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme) was targeted mainly at reducing transmission losses (that remain significantly high) and speedy redressal of consumer complaints through automation. 

However, with the scheme coming to an end in 2017, after pumping in thousands of crores of rupees for this reforms programme, power consumers in the state continue to suffer, as is evident from the thousands of complaints received by the TANGEDCO (the generation and distribution wing of TNEB). 

The TNEB website reveals that a majority of consumer complaints are yet to be properly addressed across the state, with Erode district showing more than 10,000 complaints while Chennai, Tiruchy and Coimbatore have nil complaints. TANGEDCO officials claim that the figures have not been updated and the actual status of each complaint remains a mystery. 

Under this R-APDRP scheme, the electricity board has undertaken massive IT (Information Technology) initiatives at an estimated Rs 417 crore  and another Rs 182.17 crore for Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition/Distribution Management System (SCADA). While the former is implemented in 110 towns in Tamil Nadu, the latter has targeted just seven towns in the state, top officials said. 

The IT portion saw encouraging response from consumers, who can now apply for new connections online and their complaints expected to be settled 24X7 through a centralised customer care centre, however, many of the reforms continue to remain only on paper.  

TANGEDCO officials stated that monitoring of consumed energy through these schemes can reduce line loss by improving and strengthening transmission and distribution net works and ensure detection of power theft. Also, fault location and rectification would be easy as consumer details and TANGEDCO assets are mapped on GIS (Geographical information system). Similarly, distribution transformer failure will be reduced as TANGEDCO’s section office will constantly monitor transformer voltage. The board is hopeful that better audit, energy accounting and metering of feeders and distribution transformers will lower line loss. The scheme is already in force in 102 of the 110 towns targeted and the remaining 8 towns will also be covered before the scheme ends in 2017, an official said. 

This second phase of reforms, which are more technical, is currently being implemented in 100 towns having a population of more than 30,000 at an estimated Rs. 3595.34 crore. Work has been completed in 54 towns and the remaining 46 towns will be covered before March next year. 

The scheme will reduce aggregate commercial and technical loss (ATC) in distribution networks through erection of new sub stations, new power transformers and laying of reconductored cables and also, replacing consumer meters with static meters to ensure better voltage, less outage, lower interruption, reliable power and accurate billing through such upgraded infrastructure. As a consequence of all these initiatives, transmission losses which were 20.38% in 2008-09 has now fallen by a meagre 2.42% to and is expected to touch 17.95% in 2015-16. The electricity board is confident or reducing these losses further and keep it below 15% soon. 

However, with a vast majority of the towns and villages still remaining uncovered under the scheme and with work yet to begin in close to half of those towns that are covered, TNEB has a long way to go before full automation is achieved and the power consumer gets uninterrupted quality power.  

The R-APDRP scheme is a good scheme whose benefits for the consumer will be known only after the scheme ends in 2017. The scheme’s functioning will be checked at three levels including by that of an independent body and only if results are shown will the central government convert the sanctioned money into a grant. 

TECA (TN Electricity Consumers Association) former president D Balasundaram: "There has been no visible effect among consumers due to the scheme. With the state yet to join the UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana) scheme, the situation for TANGEDCO and the state looks grim.”