Adani Electricity is committed to combating power theft, recognizing it as both a criminal and social offense. During the past six months (April 2024 to September 2024), the company has registered a significant increase in FIRs against perpetrators of power theft – 622 compared to 439 for the corresponding period last year. This decisive action has resulted in a commendable 0.7% reduction in Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, bringing them down to 4.56% in the last six months compared to 5.26% in the previous six months.

Increased Vigilance:

To achieve this reduction, Adani Electricity has intensified its vigilant efforts. The company conducted 18,255 mass raids in high-loss areas, a significant increase from the 11,408 raids conducted during the same period last year. This resulted in a total of 5,475 theft cases being booked compared to 3,757 for the corresponding period. The vigilance team also recovered a substantial number of illegal materials – 32.9 tons of illegal wires – and assessed the value of stolen electricity at Rs. 24.65 crore (based on 13.06 million units).

High Value Cases between April 2024 to September 2024:

· Case 1 - Electricity Theft Rs. 48 lakhs Case in Powai – On September 3, 2024, Adani Electricity's vigilance team uncovered a case involving significant electricity theft worth Rs. 48 lakhs against Tenant Umesh Harsukhlal Shah, Shashank Umesh Shah (running a plastic bag manufacturing unit) and Owner Mirza Gauasuddin MA Baig in Asalfa, Ghatkopar. The investigation, triggered by anomalies in energy loss reports, revealed that the team found deliberate short-circuiting of the meter's Current Transformer, primarily during morning hours. It was also observed that there were imbalanced Load Readings with minimal current on two phases and unusually high current on the third phase, indicating tampering. The customer had inserted shunt wires to under-record consumption. Based on these findings, the team booked the customer under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, seized the tampered meter, and disconnected the electricity supply to the premises. The theft, spanning approximately 32 months, resulted in a loss of 0.26 million units, incurring a civil liability of ₹48 lakhs.

· Case 2 – Electricity Theft of Rs. 6.41 Lakhs against Ankitbhai Vaviya having Electroplating business at Ganesh Nagar, Charkop, Kandivali –On May 27, 2024, Adani Electricity's Vigilance team uncovered power theft worth Rs. 6,41,000 at Ganesh Nagar, Charkop, Kandivali, against customer Ankitbhai Vaviya, who owns an electroplating business. The accused were using an electricity supply with a tampered meter, and the Y and B phases were found to be under-recording. The team assessed the theft period between February 24, 2023, and May 27, 2024, resulting in a loss of 30,503 units, charging the customer for power theft of Rs. 6,41,000.

· Case 3 – Electricity Theft of Rs. 4.76 Lakhs uncovered at a Garment unit located at P L Lokhande Marg, Chembur –On April 19, 2024, Adani Electricity's Vigilance team uncovered power theft worth Rs. 4,76,000 against Customer Rehamtulla T. Khan, who runs a garment unit located at P.L. Lokhande Marg, Chembur. The accused was using the R phase and B phase outgoing wires connected to the incoming terminal. The team assessed the theft period between November 22, 2022, and April 23, 2024. The team assessed the customer for 23,009 units, charging the customer for power theft of Rs. 4,76,000

Consequences of Power Theft:

Stealing electricity is a serious offense. Under section 135 of the Electricity Act 2003, offenders can face fines, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction. Adani Electricity collaborates with police authorities to conduct regular raids, apprehend offenders, and confiscate equipment used for power theft. During the period from April 2024 to September 2024, a significant amount (13.06 million units) of unauthorized electricity was detected and addressed.

Impact on Consumers and Infrastructure:

Power theft has a detrimental effect on infrastructure, particularly in high-demand areas like slum clusters where infrastructure upgrades are challenging. The additional strain from power theft overloads existing infrastructure, leading to increased maintenance costs due to more frequent cable and transformer failures.

Protecting Consumers and Reducing Losses:

"Power theft unfairly burdens honest paying consumers," stated an Adani Electricity spokesperson. "Adani Electricity is committed to eliminating this menace. By combating such unlawful activities, we safeguard the interests of our customers. We will continue to intensify our efforts in specific areas to further reduce AT&C losses."

This achievement positions Adani Electricity among Discoms with the lowest AT&C losses nationwide, considering its extensive network and diverse consumer base. The company's commitment to combating power theft benefits both honest consumers and the overall electricity infrastructure.