Adani Electricity is committed to combating power theft, recognizing it as both a criminal and social offense.
In the first half (April to September) of FY25, Adani Electricity registered a significant increase in FIRs against perpetrators of power theft – 622 compared to 439 for the corresponding period last year.
This has resulted in a commendable 0.7 per cent reduction in Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, bringing them down to 4.56 per cent in the last six months compared to 5.26 per cent in the previous six months.
Increased Vigilance
To achieve this reduction, Adani Electricity has intensified its vigilant efforts. The company conducted 18,255 mass raids in high-loss areas, a significant increase from the 11,408 raids conducted during the same period last year. This resulted in a total of 5,475 theft cases being booked compared to 3,757 for the corresponding period. The vigilance team also recovered a substantial number of illegal materials – 32.9 tonnes of illegal wires – and assessed the value of stolen electricity at Rs.24.65 crore (based on 13.06 million units).
Consequences of Power Theft
Stealing electricity is a serious offense. Under section 135 of the Electricity Act 2003, offenders can face fines, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction. Adani Electricity collaborates with police authorities to conduct regular raids, apprehend offenders, and confiscate equipment used for power theft. During the period from April 2024 to September 2024, a significant amount (13.06 million units) of unauthorized electricity was detected and addressed.
Impact on Consumers and Infrastructure
Power theft has a detrimental effect on infrastructure, particularly in high-demand areas like slum clusters where infrastructure upgrades are challenging. The additional strain from power theft overloads existing infrastructure, leading to increased maintenance costs due to more frequent cable and transformer failures.
Protecting Consumers and Reducing Losses
“Power theft unfairly burdens honest paying consumers,” stated an Adani Electricity spokesperson. “Adani Electricity is committed to eliminating this menace. By combating such unlawful activities, we safeguard the interests of our customers. We will continue to intensify our efforts in specific areas to further reduce AT&C losses.”
This achievement positions Adani Electricity among discoms with the lowest AT&C losses nationwide, considering its extensive network and diverse consumer base. The company’s commitment to combating power theft benefits both honest consumers and the overall electricity infrastructure.
Also read: Adani Electricity launches digital customer newsletter
Featured photograph courtesy Adani Electricity
