CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) might reconsider its ambitious smart meter project. According to Minister for Electricity C T R Nirmal Kumar, the discom is yet to take a final call on it.
“We are still examining the policy aspects of the smart meter project as it involves a huge financial commitment. While the primary objective is automated meter reading, we need to carefully assess the costs and benefits before arriving at a decision,” Nirmal Kumar told TNIE.
He said the project is estimated to cost around Rs 30,000 crore. “We have to compare this with the existing system under which thousands of personnel are engaged in meter reading. There are also several practical issues on the ground that need to be studied,” he added.
Nirmal Kumar further said, “We do not want to take a hasty decision and later realise it was a mistake. We will thoroughly examine all aspects and proceed only if the project is beneficial to TNEB and consumers.”
The remarks have triggered concern among power sector professionals, with the Bharathiya Electricity Engineers Association expressing disappointment over the apparent hesitation to implement the smart meter programme.
Association general secretary E Natarajan said smart metering has become a key component of power sector reforms across the world and India.“The UK deployed nearly 30 million smart meters by 2020. Germany, France and most European Union nations have achieved almost 100% coverage. In India, states such as Rajasthan, UP and Maharashtra are progressing rapidly under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), with deployments ranging from 50 million to 100 million meters,” he said.
Claiming that Tamil Nadu is falling behind other states, Natarajan said the state, once regarded as a pioneer in the Indian power sector, is now lagging in the adoption of modern technologies.
He also clarified that the estimated Rs 30,000 crore expenditure would not be incurred as a one-time investment. “The cost will be spread over 93 months under the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider model. The private service provider will invest the capital, while the discom will make payments over the contract period. Smart meters can significantly reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses and improve revenue realisation,” he said.
Natarajan further contended that smart meters would not result in job losses. “Moreover, accurate billing through smart meters can reduce consumer disputes substantially,” he added.
