Thiruvananthapuram : Union govt has approved a Rs 900 subsidy per smart meter, reducing the financial burden on Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and consumers as the board implements the smart-metering project.




Centre was initially reluctant to provide financial assistance to KSEB’s model and had insisted that power utilities engage private agencies to install smart meters and recover part of the cost directly from consumers. KSEB, however, decided to implement the project under the Capex model , wherein the board itself makes the investment, and had been demanding financial assistance offered under Centre’s scheme.




KSEB has sanctioned Rs 3,260 crore for the project’s second phase, covering 35 lakh consumers , with provision to extend it to 50 lakh through annual onboarding of new connections. The state govt has stipulated that the cost per consumer shouldn’t exceed the cost determined under the earlier Totex tender . Under that model, a private agency would make the investment and recover it through a long-term service arrangement.




The second phase will cover all consumers, public electric vehicle charging stations, KSEB offices, hoardings, prosumers, consumers using more than 150 units a month—excluding agricultural consumers—those with doors locked for more than two billing cycles, consumers opting for smart meters and most new consumers. Monthly-billing consumers will also be included.




Meanwhile, KSEB has sanctioned Rs 4.85 crore to upgrade meter testing facilities for Phase I, which involves installing 3 lakh smart meters. Around 1.8 lakh meters have reportedly been installed so far. The allocation will be used to modernise KSEB’s five NABL-accredited testing and metering laboratories at Thirumala, Pallom, Angamaly, Shoranur and Kannur. A new automated test bench will be installed at Angamaly, while existing benches at the other four laboratories will be upgraded through the original equipment manufacturer.




The CT-PT testing system at Pallom will also be upgraded after KSERC pulled up KSEB for failing to meet the technical and accuracy requirements prescribed under relevant standards.