Draft plan proposes prepaid smart meter for all power connections
24 Jul 2019
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A draft electricity distribution plan prepared by the Central Electricity Authority envisages conversion of all electricity consumer meters into smart meters in prepaid mode within the next three years. Smart metering would provide consumers with tools to help conserve energy and plan electricity usage in an efficient and optimum manner.
The plan anticipates an increase in distribution substation capacity by 38 per cent, distribution transformation capacity by 32 per cent and an increase in different type of feeder lengths by 27-38 per cent till 2022.
The plan, once released, would be operationalised along with the states and their Discoms under the spirit of cooperative and competitive federalism.
CEA is also preparing a Distribution Planning Manual for guiding Discoms for future planning. This is a step in the direction of developing Standards of Service for Power Sector in India.
Reviewing the first ever draft plan for power distribution sector prepared by CEA, union minister of state for power and new and renewable energy and skill development and entrepreneurship, R K Singh, said the draft distribution plan is aimed at sustaining the goal of 24X7 uninterrupted power for all with increasing demand of electricity by consumers.
The plan lays emphasis on 100 per cent metering of all consumers and providing an electricity connection on demand. The plan also envisages frontier technology initiatives with an objective of providing reliable quality power supply to consumers.
During the review meeting, going beyond the infrastructure and technology, the minister laid emphasis on integrating the planned reforms and improved processes of operations into the Draft Distribution Perspective Plan. This would enable the distribution sector to address all the people, process and technology related aspects required for making the power sector robust and resilient, he said.
The minister directed that a core group of ministry officials should study the power sector ‘Reforms 2.0’, which would be integrated with Distribution Perspective Plan before it is released.
Till now, the central government has been preparing perspectives plans for generation and transmission sectors under the aegis of the National Electricity Plan (NEP). The distribution plan keeps the needs of consumers at the centre of its focus.
