The BSES has initiated the process of replacing the existing electricity meters with smart meters. Following the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Power, a tender notice has already been issued on June 17, 2022, to invite applications for the supply of 50 lakh smart meters.

The process of the installation of the new meters, which is expected to cost up to Rs 4,000 crore, should be accomplished by March 2025, according to the timeline given by the Union Power Ministry.

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This is going to be one of the biggest initiatives in the country to install 50 lakh smart meters at a single location. It will be the country’s largest smart meter project in the private sector apart from being the biggest smart meter project in any metro city.

So far, 40, 40,000 smart meters have been installed in the country. The smart meter project of BSES is even bigger. It is a project of 50 lakh smart meters, the process of implementation of which has already started.

Among the big states where smart meter projects have been started so far, 11.55 lakh smart meters have been installed in Uttar Pradesh, 8.7 lakh in Bihar, 5.5 lakh in Rajasthan, 4.52 lakh in Haryana, and 2.38 lakh in Assam. have been

Normally it takes five to eight years to complete the smart meter installation project in India or even abroad, but in a BSES region completion of the project is the fastest in the world. BSES will complete the smart meter project in two to three years.

The BSES project will be very beneficial for the consumers as the smart meters will have many positive features. With the help of smart meters, the consumers can themselves monitor and analyse electricity consumption. By focusing on demand-side management, one can consume electricity in a logical manner and thereby reduce the bill. One can opt for post-paid billing from prepaid billing without visiting the BSES office. One can apply for an increase/decrease of load through the smart meter. You can even monitor the charging of your electric vehicle in the smart meter. In this, rooftop solar power net metering can also be monitored.

If there is any problem with the power supply or there is any kind of interruption in the services, the smart meter will inform the consumer. In case of power breakdown, the smart meter will also indicate how much time it will take for the power to be restored.

On the other hand, the smart meters will help discoms in power planning and estimating the electrical load, and scheduling the electricity.