New trends

Recently PDD department has recently said that they will achieve100 pc smart metering across Jammu and Kashmir by the year  2026.

This is evident from the fact that the metering percentage in J&K is distressingly low with only 51% consumers metered and as such, being charged on flat-rate basis. The flat rate bills, based on rough estimates, do not reflect the actual usage and are hence considered flimsy or unsubstantial even during the time when electro-mechanical meters were in use. As such, in the present era, where energy measurements are digitally done right from the generating end, it is paramount to ensure accurate measurement at consumers’ end too.

Regarding power availability, there persists a misconception among consumers that J&K is a power surplus Union Territory due to its abundant water sources, however, the reality is that J&K relies solely on hydro power plants for electricity generation, which are subject to limitations due to seasonal dependence.

The hydro power plants generate at their maximum capacity only during 4-5 months of peak water flow in rivers, while their generation diminishes for the rest of the year. Quantitatively, out of the existing installed generation capacity of 3500 MW, 1140 MW is contributed by UT-owned plants, the main ones being 900 MW Baglihar, 110 MW Lower Jhelum, and 110 MW Upper Sindh, while the remaining 2300 MW comes from central sector plants such as Salal, Dul-Hasti, Uri, and Kishanganga. During winters, power houses in J&K, under both central and state sectors, can only generate a maximum of 600 MW against their rated capacity of 3500 MW due to reduced water levels in the rivers.