The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has achieved a significant milestone by installing more than 5 lakh smart meters across various states in India. This considerable feat is part of the Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP), which aims to replace conventional electricity meters with smart ones across the country. The installation process adheres to the guidelines set up by the Central Electricity Authority.
Understanding Smart Meters and Their Importance
The smart meters are an integral part of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure solution (AMI). These innovative devices measure and record consumers’ electricity usage at different intervals throughout the day. The collected data is then sent to the energy supplier using GPRS technology.
Smart meters provide consumers with direct access to their electricity usage information, facilitating well-informed decisions regarding their electricity consumption. Notably, these meters also control Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses resulting from power pilferage, bypassing meters, defective meters, and meter reading errors. They ensure that every kilowatt of power drawn from the grid is accounted for, thereby reviving the revenue stream of distributing companies (discoms).
Project Expectations and Results
The SMNP is projected to enhance billing efficiency by 75 to 100%, increasing the revenues of utility companies to Rs. 1,38,100 crore. EESL’s strategy involves recovering the cost of these smart meters through the monetization of energy savings brought about by improved billing accuracy, reduced meter reading costs, and other efficiencies.
| States where Smart Meters Installed | Number of Smart Meters |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 2 lakh |
| Delhi | 1 lakh |
| Haryana | 1 lakh |
| Bihar | 50 thousand |
| Andhra Pradesh | 50 thousand |
About Energy Efficiency Services Limited
EESL is a joint venture of four national Public-Sector Undertakings – NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation Limited, Rural Electrification Corporation Limited and POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited. It operates under the Ministry of Power and was established by the Government of India in 2009.
Being South Asia’s pioneering leader in energy efficiency, EESL oversees the market-related activities of the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE). This mission, which is part of the Prime Minister’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, comprises four initiatives to enhance energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries.
EESL also implements the world’s largest energy efficiency portfolio, including the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA), Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP), and the Agriculture Demand Side management (AgDSM) schemes. These initiatives aim to increase energy efficiency through means like LED bulb and street light replacements and efficiency upgradations of agricultural pump sets.