Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation rolls out plan to upgrade old smart meter; consumer council calls for strict accountability over EESL failures.

The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation has resolved to replace 11.32 lakh of the 12.04 lakh smart meters installed by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) with new smart prepaid meters under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) by March 2027.

The outmoded meters, operating on obsolete 2G technology, have been hindered by sluggish performance, recurrent failures, and inadequate efficiency, undermining the fundamental objectives of smart metering.
Significant Financial Burden on UPPCL

UPPCL has been compensating EESL at a rate of Rs 101 per meter per month, totaling approximately Rs 137 crore annually or nearly Rs 959 crore over seven years for the 11.32 lakh active meters.

The expenditure for installing new prepaid smart meters at the prevailing rate of Rs 6,016 per meter will amount to an additional Rs 681 crore, increasing the total supplementary cost to over Rs 1,600 crore.
Consumer Organization Calls for Immediate Action

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Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Consumer Council chairman Awadhesh Verma expressed appreciation for the replacement but called for a comprehensive high-level investigation into the unsuccessful EESL initiative and urged strict disciplinary measures against the officers and individuals responsible.

He observed that on Janmashtami day in August 2020, 1.58 lakh meters abruptly ceased functioning. The Electricity Regulatory Commission had previously mandated the transition to 4G technology, and a Special Task Force investigation was initiated under the auspices of the then Energy Minister Shrikant Sharma; however, no substantive action was ultimately taken against those responsible.

Consumers have endured the consequences of this unsuccessful endeavor for years, Verma stated, emphasizing that accountability must now be established.