CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) is likely to invite fresh tenders by the end of this month for installing 56 lakh smart meters for domestic electricity consumers in Chennai, as part of efforts to modernise the power distribution network.
The discom is also planning to install smart meters for around 50 lakh industrial and commercial consumers across the state.
A senior TNPDCL official said the discom had earlier floated tenders during the previous DMK regime to install nearly three crore smart meters across Tamil Nadu. Around 50 companies had submitted bids, but they were not opened.
“After the TVK government came to power, all the tenders were cancelled following allegations of irregularities in the process,” the official said.
The proposal to cancel the existing tenders and invite fresh bids is likely to be placed before the upcoming TNPDCL board meeting. “Once the board approves the proposal, fresh tenders will be invited. We are planning to take up the Chennai Metropolitan Area in the first phase,” the official said.
Under the funding arrangement, the centre will provide `900 per meter, with the remaining cost to be borne by the state government. “The market price of a smart meter currently starts at around `6,000. The final cost will be decided after the bidding process,” another senior official said.
TNPDCL has already installed nearly one lakh smart meters in T Nagar using Radio Frequency (RF) technology. The system enables consumption data to be transmitted wirelessly from consumer premises to the discom. Officials said the same technology is likely to be used for the proposed installation in Chennai.
Meanwhile, Power Finance Corporation (PFC), a union government undertaking, has initiated the process of installing smart meters in around 6.7 lakh government offices across Tamil Nadu. PFC will provide `67 per month for each single-phase meter and `97 for each three-phase meter installed in government offices.
Officials said the monthly billing system could be introduced soon after the smart meter installation is completed.