Sat Apr 19 07:45:10 UTC 2025: ## Bescom’s Distribution Losses Dip, But Concerns Remain
**Bengaluru, April 19, 2025** – Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), responsible for nearly half of Karnataka’s electricity distribution, has significantly reduced its distribution losses. Losses dropped from 11.99% in FY 2020-21 to 9.13% in FY 2023-24, a decrease attributed to reduced power interruptions and the near-completion of aerial bunched cable (ABC) and underground (UG) cable projects.
The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has approved distribution loss targets of 9.65% (FY 2025-26), 9.40% (FY 2026-27), and 9.15% (FY 2027-28), with incentives for exceeding these targets and penalties for falling short. KERC has also directed Bescom and other electricity supply companies (Escoms) to identify high-loss areas, improve system reliability, and submit regular energy audit reports.
Despite the progress, consumer dissatisfaction remains. M. G. Prabhakar, a former member of the KERC advisory committee, criticized the current loss levels, noting that international standards aim for less than 5% and questioning the accountability for lost power. While Bescom celebrates its achievements, the debate continues on whether the reduction is sufficient to meet consumer expectations and international benchmarks.
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