The electricity department will replace all existingmeterswithsmartmeters under the government of Indias smart meter national programme.
A trial run of 250 smart meters, which provide real time data to the department for better planning, is complete. The meters were placed across Goa in different terrain and the department found that they were 95% efficient.
The department is now drawing up a plan for phasewise installation of 6.5 lakh meters and hasplansof replacing around 50,000 meters by the end of the financial year.
Around 30% of the cost of each meter will be borne by the Centre and the rest by the department.
Through the smart meter programme, the government of India aims to bring in efficiency in thepowerdistribution system leading to better service delivery
The system will provide area-wise and time of the day, data on consumption and shortfall in capacity, which will help the department in its upgradation projects.