Bengaluru: The installation of smart meters in new electrical setups under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) jurisdiction is being conducted with complete transparency and a well-defined pricing structure, BESCOM Managing Director N Shivashankara stated on Monday.
Addressing a press conference at the BESCOM headquarters, Shivashankara emphasized that existing customers will also have the option to install smart meters in a phased manner. The event was also attended by Energy Department’s Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta and Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Pandey.
On March 6, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) issued guidelines regarding the phased installation of smart meters. Speaking on the matter, Shivashankara described the initiative as a transformative step towards digitalized electricity billing and real-time usage monitoring.
Shivashankara explained that smart meters enable Time of Day (TOD) tariffs, remote reading, and automatic connection and disconnection. In case of a power outage, electricity supply companies receive immediate updates, allowing for faster restoration. These smart meters also help customers manage their electricity consumption efficiently.
The BESCOM MD highlighted that customers opting for smart meters would pay Rs 4,998 upfront for the device, with an additional Rs 75 per month for maintenance, covering the SIM card, server, software, and mobile application support. Over ten years, the total cost would amount to Rs 13,920. Of this, Rs 9,000 would be gradually recovered from consumers through tariff adjustments.
Comparing costs across states, Shivashankara mentioned that the central government’s subsidy has resulted in lower monthly expenses for smart meters in states such as Maharashtra (Rs 120.34), West Bengal (Rs 117.81), Sikkim (Rs 148.88), Manipur (Rs 130.30), and Madhya Pradesh (Rs 115.84). However, Karnataka did not adopt the central government's Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) due to conditions requiring clearance of pending subsidies and dues.
The smart meter installation process began in urban areas on February 15, and will soon expand to rural regions. Currently, BESCOM has a stock of 30,600 smart meters, ensuring a steady supply for the ongoing rollout.
At the press meet, Energy Department ACS Gaurav Gupta and KPCL MD Pankaj Kumar Pandey also discussed Karnataka’s power situation and the measures taken to ensure a stable electricity supply.
With PTI inputs