The recent budget presented by the Rajasthan government underscores its commitment to improving energy access, infrastructure and urban development. Key announcements include 150 units of free electricity for households, 5 lakh new domestic connections, and 50,000 new agricultural connections.
Commenting on the budget, Shri D. D. Agarwal, Director of Samta Power, said, “While the state government has taken steps in the right direction with this budget, the focus must now shift toward ensuring a reliable, quality and uninterrupted electricity supply to the public- a critical need for Rajasthan’s growth.”
Despite significant reforms, rural Rajasthan continues to face frequent power cuts and voltage fluctuations, especially during peak summer months. A 2024 report by OTF revealed that rural areas in Rajasthan face severe electricity shortages, enduring up to 12-hour daily power cuts, with 60% of consumers waiting over six hours for restoration—far worse than urban areas, which experience shorter outages and quicker fixes.
Despite efforts to bridge the gap through power purchases from exchanges, barter deals,
and adding new capacities, power shortages persist. As a result, rural areas of Rajasthan
continue to experience prolonged power cuts.
Distribution Transformers (DTs) play a vital role in the power supply chain and their reliability is crucial for uninterrupted electricity and an efficient distribution system. As per CEA report, Rajasthan experiences the failure of approximately 1.25 lakh transformers in six months.
The recurrent failure of substandard DTs not only disrupts power supply but also places a significant financial burden on DISCOMs and consumers. For instance, the repair cost of a
failed 25 kVA DT is approximately ₹10,000 per unit, and on a large scale, such failures can
result in an estimated financial impact of ₹100 crore within six months. These costs are often passed on to consumers through increased tariffs, undermining the ultimate goal of providing affordable and reliable power supply.
To address these challenges, modernizing power distribution infrastructure with the right
quality components is imperative. The choice of material in power distribution infrastructure is a critical factor in ensuring systems that are not only effective but also resilient and sustainable in the long term. Copper has emerged as a material of choice for distribution transformers due to its superior electrical conductivity, which ensures efficient energy transfer, minimal losses, and enhanced reliability. Additionally, preference must be given to materials that are durable and resistant to mechanical and thermal stress for withstanding high-load conditions and short-circuit scenarios. Scientific studies on the comparative creep behavior of metals have established that using better-quality materials can prevent premature failure of assets like DTs, which ultimately impacts consumer tariffs.
Utility planners must ask: Is it practical to have 1 lakh distribution transformers fail and get
replaced within six months, or is it better to spend 15-20% more for a reliable DT with better material? The answer lies in prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term cost savings.
Shri Agarwal emphasised, “Despite significant investments in power infrastructure in recent years, Rajasthan is yet to see significant improvements in tariff reduction, power security, or sustainability, particularly in rural areas. The implementation of central government-subsidized schemes such as the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), which includes the solarization of agriculture feeders and smart meter installations, has been slow and ineffective. Other initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Muft Bijli Yojana for home rooftop solar, Kusum Components A & C, and the recently added HAM scheme of ₹33,500 crores for DISCOMs have also faced challenges due to poor design, lack of skilled manpower, and unskilled EPC contractors having hardly any experience and material suppliers.”
To ensure economic viability and long-term energy security, Rajasthan must prioritize investments in renewable energy infrastructure and high-quality distribution systems. Modernizing the grid with reliable materials in DTs can enhance efficiency, reduce losses,
and ensure uninterrupted power supply. Policymakers must focus on designing and
implementing schemes that are efficient, sustainable, and supported by robust infrastructure, ensuring that the benefits of these initiatives reach the last mile.