Visakhapatnam: AP Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (AP-EPDCL) has intensified its push for installation of smart electricity meters across Visakhapatnam to modernise its billing system.
Originally intended for agricultural consumers, the smart meter programme in AP has now been extended to all categories. The primary goal, officials say, is to secure 100 per cent advance payment of power bills and minimise delays in revenue recovery.
Given the growing dues from government offices in particular, EPDCL’s Visakhapatnam circle has prioritised smart meter installations at these institutions. Among the 3,000 government offices in the district, the distribution company installed its first smart meter at the Executive Engineer’s Office of Public Health department at Seethammadhara last August.
With installation of smart meters at government installations nearing completion, EPDCL is targeting commercial consumers in the next phase. Next in line will be domestic households consuming over 200 units monthly.
The distribution company estimates that around 1.19 lakh smart meters will suffice for the 17.45 lakh electricity connections in undivided Visakhapatnam district. Each meter, including associated infrastructure, costs about ₹6,000.
EPDCL authorities say consumers are not being charged this cost, as the meters will remain the utility’s property. A pilot rollout for regular households has commenced in Akkayyapalem, where conventional meters are being replaced with their smart counterparts. These support monitoring of real-time usage and, importantly, prepaid billing.
Visakhapatnam circle superintending engineer Shyambabu outlined the selective installation criteria: “Only consumers who use more than 200 units monthly will receive smart meters. Those with lower consumption, including group housing residents and government subsidy beneficiaries, will continue using their existing meters.”
Responding to widespread confusion about meter costs, Shyambabu clarified, “There is a false belief that consumers are being charged for the meters. This is incorrect. However, smart meter users must pay in advance for the energy they consume based on their average monthly consumption patterns.”
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