CHENNAI: Around 1.7 crore consumers including households, commercial and other low-tension (LT) categories in all major corporations in the state are set to get their electricity meters replaced with smart meters, as Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNPDCL) has floated tenders in seven different packages inviting service providers of advanced metering infrastructure. In Chennai region, 56.85 lakh meters will be installed.
During his budget presentation in the assembly in August, finance minister N Marie Wilson announced that the entire Chennai region comprising 38.80 lakh LT services would be covered with smart meters. A separate tender has been floated to install 4.72 lakh smart meters in all distribution transformers to detect line loss, energy thefts and others. In Madhya Pradesh, three-phase meters have been procured for Rs 5,400, while a single-phase meter was purchased for Rs 2,500. The monthly maintenance charges worked out to Rs 65 per month.
However, the scheme has been extended to all municipal corporations, according to TNPDCL sources. For Tamil Nadu, we expect further slashing of prices,” said a TNPDCL official. “The prices of smart meters have come down drastically.