Smart meters soon for domestic power consumers
Posted on: 08/Dec/2017 12:07:53 PM
As proposed by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, smart meters shall soon be incorporated for the domestic electricity consumers and other kinds of consumers in Greater Chennai. This project shall be implemented at an overall estimate of Rs 750 crore.
For implementing this project, under the UDAY scheme (Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana), a Memorandum of Understanding is being signed among TANGEDCO, State Government and Central Government. The UDAY scheme eyes on installing smart meters for all the electricity consumers who consume more than 500 units every month. This does not include agricultural consumers, to note. For this, in Coimbatore (North) electricity distribution circle, a pilot study is being carried out with the installation of single phase and three phase smart meters.
The Electricity Minister, P. Thangamani announced about the same in a conference of Power Ministers Conference that took place in New Delhi. In the pilot study, the feasibility of the project will be analyzed and the possible hassles will be assessed and addressed to progress with the project further.
Impact of Vardah
Rather than letting the state procure the smart meters on its own, the Minister has pleaded the centre to make necessary arrangements to procure smart meters and give them away at competitive pricing according to the central electricity authority specifications.
The Minister recalled the badly hit Chennai city and its power infrastructure at the time of Cyclone Vardah in December 2016 and pointed out that a total of Rs 3200 crore was to be spent towards bettering the conditions. As the Power Finance Corporations has given its nod for the project, the Minister has sought for the entre to order PFC to release funds at the earliest.
Regarding the issue of coal shortage, the minister added that he has instructed shutting down of thermal units and that the TANGEDCO has to take measures for coal impact.
