A.P. Discoms perform well in national power utility rankings

The power distribution sector in Andhra Pradesh has recorded a significant improvement in performance benchmarks reflected in the 14th Annual Integrated Rating and Ranking of Power Distribution Utilities released by the Central government through Power Finance Corporation (PFC). 

As per the PFC report, the Central and the Southern Power Distribution Companies have improved their ratings by two notches, moving up from ‘C’ to ‘B’ grade, riding on strong financial and operational performance. 

The report showed substantial improvements in key efficiency indicators for the Discoms— collection efficiency increased from 94.91% to 99.26%, which was a 2 percentage points increase, and the Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses declined sharply from around 12% to 7.90%, indicating effective loss-reduction measures and improved system performance. 

According to an official release, the nationwide assessment, which rated power distribution utilities (Discoms) across the country on the basis of financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and governance parameters, highlighted a clear turnaround for the AP DISCOMs, whose improvements positioned AP among the better-performing States in the country in terms of distribution efficiency and financial discipline. 

It was stated that the improved national ratings underscore the impact of focused reforms undertaken by the State government in the power sector, including strengthened billing and collection mechanisms, enhanced monitoring, targeted loss-reduction initiatives, and alignment with national reform programmes such as the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). 

With the better rankings, the release said, the Andhra Pradesh government reiterated its commitment to building financially sustainable, consumer-centric, and reliable power distribution utilities, ensuring quality power supply while maintaining fiscal prudence.