In an attempt to enhance consumer convenience and rationalising electricity consumption in its area, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has replaced approx 52,000 conventional meters with smart meters. The civic body claimed to have become the first in the country to implement 100 per cent smart metering solution.

Naresh Kumar, Chairman of the NDMC said that Smart Meters Programme is a part of aligning with the Central Government plan to upgrade our national energy system. With the initiative, the civic body has become the first municipal body in the country to achieve 100 per cent smart metering solution, he said.

Elaborating it further, the Chairman said that these meters will enable users to monitor their consumption pattern and the corresponding cost, reducing power wastage, providing long term carbon saving. It will also provide accurate and real time information about energy used, he said.

A senior NDMC official said that the initiative is part of the advanced metering infrastructure solution that measures and record consumers’ electricity uses at different times of the day and send the information to the energy supplier through “over the air communication technology”. “It will give consumers a better access to information about their uses even at a particular time so that they can save the energy by using this information,” he said.

The official also said that with the installation, smart meters would transform the power sector as it will reduce ‘Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses’ and ease of bill payment besides other benefits. The discom will also help in monitoring round the clock power supply, he said.

With the adoption of the initiative, the civic body would save Rs 12.47 Crore due to improvement in billing efficiency. It will ensure efficient management of electricity, by checking data entry errors, billing inefficiency, and cutting the cost of manual meter reading through web based monitoring system. 

“For ease of consumers, we have added smart meter feature on NDMC 311 mobile application for real time check and complete clarity on their energy habits and consumption of their electricity bills. It will also enhance consumer convenience and rationalize electricity consumption in the city,” he said.

The facility would be inaugurated by Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy R K Singh. While Lieutenant Governor of Delhi

Anil Baijal, Secretary, Ministry of Power A K Bhalla, and Rajeev Sharma, Chairman of EESLwill also be present.