Smart meters for Discos: Power Division says measures helped reduce prices

ISLAMABAD: Power Division on Monday said that owing to its sustained efforts and timely measures to enhance transparency and competition, the prices of smart meters for power Distribution Companies have been reduced by up to 40 percent.

Presiding over a meeting on smart meters, the Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, stated that this reduction is expected to generate estimated annual savings of Rs 150 billion at the national level.

He said the adoption of transparent and internationally competitive procurement processes has brought down the price of a three-phase smart meter from around Rs 45,000 to less than Rs 25,000, making it comparable to the cost of a conventional three-phase meter. And the price of a single-phase smart meter has been reduced by Rs 7,000. These prices are exclusive of applicable taxes.

Power Division says smart meters rolled out to Discos

The minister noted that improved planning by the Power Division, along with positive amendments to the Pakistan Engineering Council’s regulations, encouraged strong participation from international companies.

The removal of entry barriers and the bulk procurement of smart meters by all power distribution companies contributed to lower prices by reducing the cost of raw materials and supplies. He added that continuous monitoring and the introduction of clear and competitive standards for smart meters also played a key role in bringing prices down.

According to the minister, the estimated annual savings of Rs 150 billion are based on the replacement of defective and outdated meters by power distribution companies.

Furthermore, the installation of new meters will provide additional financial relief to electricity consumers, which will be reflected in lower costs shown in demand notices for new connections. He said that reduced smart meter prices would accelerate digitalization in the power sector and further improve the performance of the national grid.

Leghari also highlighted that smart meters would help eliminate incorrect readings, enable swift detection of electricity theft, facilitate prepaid billing, provide consumers with direct access to their electricity usage data, support faster power restoration without the need for a lineman, and deliver several other benefits.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025