UPCL lost about 78 to 80 million units of electricity across 11 divisions in Kumaon during one year, according to figures cited by officials. The loss, equivalent to roughly 8 crore units, reflects the combined impact of technical faults and electricity theft.

Haldwani Town recorded the highest line-loss rate at 17%, followed by Ramnagar at 15%. The figures cover the Kumaon zone, which extends from Bageshwar to Jaspur and serves about 7.50 lakh consumers.

The divisions together consume around 8 to 10 million units of electricity each day. The reported losses are putting pressure on the region’s distribution network and have prompted UPCL to begin a more detailed review of local feeders.

Haldwani Town records the highest loss rate

Officials said about 7 percentage points of the maximum 17% loss in Haldwani Town is linked to faults in the distribution system. The remaining loss is being attributed to unauthorised use of electricity and suspected theft.

The reasons identified for the high losses include dense settlement patterns, ageing distribution infrastructure, overloaded transformers and long low-tension lines. The large number of domestic and commercial connections in populated areas also makes monitoring and distribution more difficult, officials said.

The daily consumption and line-loss figures reported for the 11 divisions are:

  • Haldwani Town: 1.00 MU consumption and 17% line loss
  • Ramnagar: 0.90 MU consumption and 15% line loss
  • Haldwani Rural: 1.00 MU consumption and 10% line loss
  • Nainital: 0.40 MU consumption and 9% line loss
  • Almora: 0.30 MU consumption and 8% line loss
  • Ranikhet: 0.22 MU consumption and 8% line loss
  • Bhikiyasen: 0.12 MU consumption and 7% line loss
  • Bageshwar: 0.25 MU consumption and 10% line loss
  • Bazpur: 1.20 MU consumption and 12% line loss
  • Kashipur: 2.80 MU consumption and 11% line loss
  • Jaspur: 2.00 MU consumption and 13% line loss

These are figures for one day and are presented alongside the annual loss estimate for the wider Kumaon zone.

UPCL shifts focus to feeder-level data

Until now, the corporation had collected this information at the power-station level. Officials have now started compiling line-loss details feeder by feeder, a move intended to identify areas where losses are concentrated.

The exercise will provide a more local view of the network than division-wide figures. It will also help officials examine whether a loss is associated with technical problems, infrastructure stress or unauthorised electricity use.

Shekhar Tripathi, chief engineer of UPCL Kumaon, said officials had been instructed to reduce electrical line losses. He also said smart meters would soon be installed in areas affected by electricity theft.

The proposed metering work and feeder-level assessment are the next reported steps in addressing the losses. The available figures do not provide a separate division-wise estimate of the electricity attributed to theft.

Conclusion

Kumaon’s 11 divisions recorded about 78 to 80 million units of combined power loss in one year, with Haldwani Town facing the highest rate. UPCL’s immediate response is feeder-level monitoring, loss-reduction measures and smart-meter installation in theft-affected areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much electricity was lost across Kumaon?

UPCL recorded about 78 to 80 million units of loss across 11 divisions over one year, or roughly 8 crore units.

Q. Which division had the highest line loss?

Haldwani Town had the highest reported line-loss rate at 17%.

Q. What was the line loss in Ramnagar?

Ramnagar recorded a line loss of 15%.

Q. How many consumers are served by the Kumaon divisions?

The 11 divisions are connected with about 7.50 lakh consumers.

Q. What factors were linked to the losses?

Officials cited technical faults, electricity theft, dense settlements, old networks, overloaded transformers and long low-tension lines.

Q. How much electricity is consumed daily in these divisions?

The divisions together use around 8 to 10 million units each day.

Q. What steps is UPCL taking?

UPCL has begun collecting feeder-level loss data and plans to install smart meters in areas affected by electricity theft.

Q. What share of the maximum loss was linked to technical faults?

Officials said about 7 percentage points of the maximum 17% loss was linked to faults in the lines.