At Adani Electricity, we recognise the critical importance of combating power theft, viewing it as both a criminal and a pressing social issue. Over the past six months, our decisive actions have yielded a noteworthy 0.7% reduction in Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, bringing this key metric down to 4.56%, compared to 5.26% in the preceding six-month period.

Increased Vigilance

To achieve this impressive reduction, we have ramped up our vigilant efforts substantially. Our teams conducted 18,255 mass raids in identified high-loss areas, a significant increase from the 11,408 raids carried out during the same timeframe last year. Additionally, our vigilance team recovered 32.9 tons of illegal wires and assessed the value of stolen electricity at approximately INR 24.65 crore.

Consequences of Power Theft

It is crucial to understand that stealing electricity is a serious offence. Under Section 135 of the Electricity Act 2003, offenders can face substantial fines, imprisonment for up to three years, or both. Collaboration with police authorities has enabled us to conduct consistent raids to apprehend offenders and confiscate equipment used for power theft. From April 2024 to September 2024, we identified and addressed a significant quantity of unauthorised electricity, amounting to 13.06 million units.

Impact on Consumers and Infrastructure

Power theft not only affects our revenue but also undermines the integrity of our infrastructure, particularly in high-demand areas like slum clusters where upgrades are particularly challenging. This additional strain leads to increased maintenance challenges, with more frequent cable and transformer failures that further elevate operating costs.

Protecting Consumers and Reducing Losses

"Power theft unfairly burdens honest paying consumers." We are wholeheartedly committed to eradicating this menace. By tackling these unlawful activities, we are not only protecting the interests of our loyal customers but also strengthening the overall electricity infrastructure we rely upon. We will persevere in our efforts to further reduce AT&C losses, ensuring that we remain among the discoms with the lowest losses nationwide, thanks to our extensive network and diverse consumer base.

Together, we can continue to make strides against power theft and secure a better future for all stakeholders involved. Thank you for your continued support as we work toward maintaining a fair and sustainable electricity supply.

The writer is the CEO of Adani Energy Solutions Ltd and MD of Adani Electricity.