In Short : A state power corporation has approached the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission seeking approval to recover the cost of smart meter installation from consumers. The move is aimed at supporting large-scale deployment of smart meters, improving billing accuracy, reducing losses, and strengthening overall efficiency in power distribution across the state.
In Detail : The power corporation has filed a petition before the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission requesting permission to levy charges related to the installation of smart meters. The proposal is part of a broader initiative to modernise the power distribution system and enhance transparency in electricity consumption and billing.
Smart meters are being deployed as a key component of power sector reforms, enabling real-time monitoring of electricity usage and automated data collection. The corporation has stated that recovering installation costs is necessary to ensure the financial viability of the large-scale rollout programme.
According to the proposal, the recovery mechanism would allow the utility to cover expenses related to procurement, installation, communication infrastructure, and system integration. These costs are currently borne upfront by the utility, impacting its financial health.
The corporation has emphasised that smart meters offer long-term benefits to consumers, including accurate billing, reduced billing disputes, and better control over electricity consumption. Over time, the technology is expected to help consumers manage usage more efficiently and lower wastage.
From an operational perspective, smart meters help utilities reduce aggregate technical and commercial losses by detecting theft, outages, and irregular consumption patterns. Improved data visibility also supports faster fault detection and service restoration.
The petition highlights that regulatory approval is critical to maintaining a balanced approach between consumer interests and the utility’s financial sustainability. The corporation has sought a structured and phased recovery model to minimise the immediate impact on consumers.
The move aligns with national power sector reform programmes that promote digitalisation and smart infrastructure in electricity distribution. State utilities are increasingly adopting advanced metering solutions to improve operational efficiency and service quality.
Stakeholders expect the regulatory commission to examine the proposal in detail, considering factors such as affordability, long-term savings, and overall system benefits. Public interest and consumer protection are expected to remain central to the approval process.
Overall, the request for UPERC approval marks an important step in advancing smart metering adoption. If approved, the cost recovery mechanism could accelerate modernisation of the power distribution network while supporting reliable, efficient, and transparent electricity services.
