Bengaluru’s power consumption and consumer base are on the rise, leading to a nearly 300% surge in revenue demand within the Bescom jurisdiction over the last decade. From Rs 11,560 crore in 2013-14, the revenue demand has soared to Rs 34,945.16 crore by 2023-24.
The growth in power consumption is attributed to the rapid expansion of industries and a significant increase in residential connections. The proliferation of household devices such as air conditioners, TVs, refrigerators, and electronic gadgets has further fueled electricity consumption.
Year-on-year power tariff revisions have also contributed to the revenue demand spike, with a 25% increase in power consumption over the past 10 years. Despite the revenue growth, Bescom’s collection efficiency has dwindled to close to 94% in 2023-24, down from 96% in 2013-14, mainly due to outstanding dues from government organizations totaling nearly Rs 6,000 crore.
Officials have expressed challenges in recovering dues from government agencies, as cutting power supply would disrupt essential services. This predicament underscores the need for a strategic approach to balancing revenue growth with efficient collection practices in the power sector.
Published 04 July 2024, 20:30 IST