The power division has apparently failed to achieve its target in reducing the overall system loss in power transmission and distribution during the first quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal year.
According to a power division report, it had targeted to bring down the overall system loss to 13.75% but could only achieve 18.08%.
“We have tried to reach our goal but failed as the supply of electricity was higher, which has contributed to an increase in the system loss,” a power division official told the Dhaka Tribune.
All the power distribution agencies have failed to achieve their targets as well during the first three months of 2013-2014.
Five distribution companies kept their overall system loss at 16% against their target of 11.45%.
Power Development Board (PDB), Rural Electrification Board (REB), Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC), Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (Desco) and West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL) failed to limit system loss to levels set earlier by the power division, a power division official said.
The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) was the only transmission company who successfully matched its target by bringing down the overall system loss to 2.70% against 2.76 %.
The power grid company transmits power to five distribution systems. It defended the spike in system loss in power transmission saying it was quite reasonable as “technically” the loss had increased due to the increased power supply.
The chronic system loss in the state-owned entities, however, demanded that actions must be taken to overcome it.
Experts suggested installation of pre-paid meters to check rampant pilferage in power distribution and transmission systems. They also pressed on the importance of an integrated action plan.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh’s Energy Adviser Shamsul Alam said a small percentage of loss in power transmission means hundreds of thousands of power units and it affects the consumers directly as the price of electricity goes up.
He also demanded a third-party technical audit of the companies dealing with power transmission and distribution.
System loss in electric power transmission and distribution include losses in transmission between sources of supply and points of distribution and in the distribution to consumers, including pilferage.
