‘Smart meters being installed with complete transparency, scientific pricing structure’

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has been installing smart meters in new electrical setups in its jurisdiction, ensuring full transparency and a scientific pricing structure, said its Managing Director Dr N Shivashankara. At a press conference held at the BESCOM office, Shivashankara said existing customers too will have the option to install smart meters. Energy Department's Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta and Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Pandey were present at the meeting. On March 6, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission released guidelines for installing smart meters.

As per this, the installation and replacement of smart meters will take place in a phased manner. Shivashankara said, “The Energy Department's smart meter scheme is a significant step towards a digital approach for electricity bill payments and real-time electricity usage data. These smart meters are not just a solution to meter and billing issues, but also a tool for customers to manage their electricity usage effectively.” According to him, this system enables Time of Day (TOD) rates, remote reading, automatic connection and disconnection. In case of a power outage, the electricity distribution company will receive immediate updates, streamlining and speeding up the power restoration process. Most states have implemented the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) system, according to a release issued by the Energy Department. Under RDSS, the Central Government will provide 60 per cent of the funding for developing electrical infrastructure, if accepted.

Additionally, it will contribute 15 per cent of the total cost or Rs 900 to replace smart meters, said the release. However, the scheme stipulated that state governments could only benefit if they cleared any outstanding subsidies and dues owed to the respective electricity supply companies. Furthermore, all customers must install smart meters. Since the Karnataka government did not agree to these conditions at that time, it did not accept the central RDSS scheme, said Shivashankara. He also explained how it worked in other states.

“In these states, electricity supply companies purchase and install smart meters for customers, subsequently recovering the cost of the meters and their technical maintenance by incorporating it into the electricity tariff. “For instance, with the Central Government's subsidy, the monthly cost for each smart meter over 10 years is Rs 120.34 in Maharashtra, Rs117.81 in West Bengal, Rs148.88 in Sikkim, Rs 130.30 in Manipur, and Rs115.84 in Madhya Pradesh. This cost is reflected in the electricity bill and collected from customers. Additionally, in these states, smart meters are being installed simultaneously for all customer installations (bulk replacement),” he said.

The process of installing smart meters began in urban areas on February 15, and in the coming days, the installation process will begin in rural areas, he added. “Currently, BESCOM has a stock of 30,600 smart meters,” said the BESCOM MD. At the meet, Energy Department ACS Gupta and KPCL MD Pandey also provided information about Karnataka's power situation and the measures taken by the Energy Department to ensure a stable power supply.