Progress in smart meter installation under DBFOOT

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: APDCL's (Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd) installation of smart meters under the DBFOOT (Design Build Finance Own Operate Transfer) model is right on track to achieve smart meters for all by 2025.

The APDCL aims to install 6.2 lakh smart meters in the state under the Rs 566.33-crore Central Government's Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The APDCL has installed over two lakh smart meters from November 2021 to May 2022.

The installation of smart meters is going on in 19 electrical circles – Nagaon, Morigaon, KANCH, Cachar, Badarpur, Jorhat, Golaghat, Sivsagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Rangiya, Mangaldai, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur, Guwahati Electrical Circle-I and Guwahati Electrical Circle-II.

According to an APDCL official, smart meters bring transparency to meter reading and billing process leading to more consumers' trust in the company. It will enable consumers to monitor their electricity consumption and expenses through smartphones. It will also help APDCL in energy auditing and accurate analysis of loss-making areas.

The project is underway in Guwahati, which has around 2.50 lakh consumers. APDCL aims to ensure smart meters for all in the metropolitan city by September-October 2022.

APDCL's other project under RDSS in the DBFOOT mode targets to install 20.43 lakh smart meters in rural areas and areas falling outside the 19 circle areas.

According to APDCL sources, around 66 lakh power consumers in the state will get smart meters by 2025.

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