Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Implements “Smart Meter” Project to Prevent Irregularities and Increase Revenue
Chennai: In an effort to address allegations of irregularities in electricity meter readings and boost revenue for the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, the Tamil Nadu Power Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) has introduced a new change in bill calculation – the “Smart Meter” project.
Under this scheme, the electricity usage data will be electronically uploaded to the meter and connected to a server in the office via telecommunication technology. As a result, the smart meter will automatically measure the electricity consumption accurately, eliminating the need for employees to visit homes to collect payments. Instead, consumers will receive payment details via SMS.
In addition to facilitating accurate billing, smart meters offer other benefits. For instance, consumers will no longer need to make phone calls to inquire about power cuts as they can obtain this information directly from the power board office. Expounding on these advantages, the Tamil Nadu government is planning to install smart meters in all homes and businesses by 2025.
To kickstart the deployment of smart meters, Tangedco will soon begin the installation process for household consumers across Tamil Nadu. The project, valued at approximately Rs 19,000 crore, commenced this year and is scheduled for completion by March 2025.
Furthermore, Tangedco is also planning to introduce “Bluetooth Smart Meters” in homes as a solution to address current bill inconsistencies. The state of Bihar has already successfully implemented this system, allowing people to monitor their hourly electricity usage by connecting their mobile devices via Bluetooth to the smart meter. Consumers can easily check their balance through an app.
To gauge the effectiveness of implementing Bluetooth meters, the Tamil Nadu government plans to pilot the scheme in Madipakkam and Kauriwakkam areas, where there is a scarcity of electricity meters. If successful, the Bluetooth meter project will be expanded statewide next month.
According to sources, if Bluetooth meters are installed in homes, they can be easily monitored through fiber optic ports. Furthermore, technical facilities will enable officials to receive this information on their cell phones. In essence, Bluetooth meters will function as electrical calculators, reducing time and ensuring accurate billing.
With the implementation of the “Smart Meter” project, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board aims to address irregularities, increase revenue, and provide improved convenience and benefits to the public.