## Policy Analysis Report: Notification Regarding Smart Meter Implementation
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification issued by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, published on May 26, 2022. This notification supersedes an earlier notification dated August 17, 2021, and outlines revised timelines for the implementation of smart meters with prepayment features for electricity consumers. The core purpose is to accelerate the adoption of smart meters, particularly in areas with high Aggregate Technical and Commercial (ATC) losses, and to ensure feeder monitoring. Key findings include the establishment of specific deadlines for different consumer categories and geographical areas, and provisions for potential extensions by State Regulatory Commissions. The notification mandates advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and prioritizes smart Distribution Transformer (DT) metering.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Ministry of Power's notification regarding the timelines for the replacement of existing electricity meters with smart meters featuring prepayment functionality. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification and seeks to inform affected stakeholders about the key provisions and implications of these updated timelines.
**3. Policy Overview:**
This notification is an amendment to an existing policy framework relating to the installation and operation of meters, specifically referencing clause 41 b of the Central Electricity Authority Installation and Operation of Meters Amendment Regulations, 2019, and provisions within the Electricity Act, 2003. It supersedes a previous notification issued on August 17, 2021.
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the text, the core objectives of this amendment are:
* To accelerate the deployment of smart meters with prepayment features across India.
* To prioritize areas with high ATC losses and ensure comprehensive smart metering coverage.
* To enhance feeder monitoring and establish communication networks for effective meter data management.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This notification is an amendment, meaning it alters a prior policy. The likely reason for this specific amendment, based on the provided text, is to revise and potentially accelerate the timelines for smart meter implementation. The text indicates a desire to enforce quicker smart meter adoption, especially noting a prioritization of zones with significant ATC losses, implying the original timeline was not yielding the desired results. The emphasis on prepayment features and feeder monitoring also suggests a focus on reducing revenue losses and improving grid management.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This notification supersedes the notification dated August 17, 2021 and primarily focuses on *changing the timelines* for smart meter implementation. The following key changes are evident:
* **Change:** The notification replaces the previously established deadlines for smart meter deployment with new, revised deadlines.
* **New Provision:**
* **Consumers (excluding agricultural) in areas with communication networks:** Electricity must be supplied with smart meters working in prepayment mode, conforming to relevant Indian Standards (IS).
* **Union Territories, high ATC loss electrical divisions (urban > 15, rural > 25), Industrial/Commercial consumers, Government offices (Block level and above):** Smart meters with prepayment by **December 31, 2023**. DT metering by **March 31, 2023**. Extension may be granted by the State Regulatory Commission twice, for up to six months each time.
* **All other areas:** Smart meters with prepayment by **March 31, 2025**. DT metering by **December 31, 2023**.
* **All feeders:** Must be metered by **December 31, 2022**.
* **Feeder meters:** Must be communicable under the National Feeder Monitoring System (NFMS) and have Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) or be covered under Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) by **December 31, 2022**.
* **Effect of Change:** The new deadlines are likely earlier than the previous ones outlined in the August 17, 2021 notification, thus pushing for more rapid smart meter deployment. The specification of separate deadlines for different consumer categories and the provision for extensions suggests a more nuanced and flexible approach to implementation.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the direct target audience and stakeholders include:
* Electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs)
* Electricity consumers (particularly non-agricultural consumers)
* Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Providers (AMISPs)
* State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs)
* Government offices at Block level and above
* Industrial and Commercial consumers
* Manufacturers and suppliers of smart meters
* Union Territories
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Power is the primary body issuing the notification. State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) play a crucial role in overseeing implementation at the state level and potentially granting extensions. AMISPs are responsible for providing smart metering services.
* **Timelines:** Specific deadlines are provided for various consumer categories and geographical areas as detailed in Section 5.
* **Procedures:** The notification mentions that smart meters must conform to relevant Indian Standards (IS). Areas with no communication networks may be allowed prepayment meters by respective State Electricity Regulatory Commission. Feeder meters should be communicable under NFMS. This suggests the use of established standards and protocols for smart meter technology and communication infrastructure.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes of these specific changes introduced by the amendment are:
* **Accelerated Smart Meter Adoption:** The revised timelines aim to expedite the deployment of smart meters across the country, particularly in areas with high ATC losses.
* **Reduced ATC Losses:** The prioritization of high-loss areas and the implementation of prepayment features are expected to contribute to a reduction in electricity theft and improved revenue collection for DISCOMs.
* **Improved Grid Management:** The emphasis on feeder monitoring and communication infrastructure will likely enhance the ability of DISCOMs to manage the electricity grid more effectively, improve load forecasting, and detect and address faults more quickly.
* **Enhanced Consumer Experience:** The deployment of smart meters with prepayment functionality is expected to provide consumers with greater control over their electricity consumption and billing.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Ministry of Power's notification represents a significant step towards the widespread adoption of smart meters in India. By revising the timelines for implementation and prioritizing areas with high ATC losses, the amendment aims to accelerate progress, reduce losses, and improve grid management. The notification is significant as it sets new deadlines and focuses on prepayment functionalities with smart meters conforming to relevant IS standards. Stakeholders, particularly DISCOMs and AMISPs, should carefully review the provisions of the notification and take necessary steps to ensure compliance with the revised timelines.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Electricity Authority: An organization related to electricity regulation, mentioned in the context of Installation and Operation of Meters Amendment Regulations, 2019.
Electricity Act, 2003: A law under which the Central Electricity Authority Installation and Operation of Meters Amendment Regulations, 2019 are framed.
Central Government: The government body that notified timelines for replacement of existing meters with smart meters.
Gazette of India: Official government publication where notifications are published.
Union Territories: All of India's union territories, required to have smart meters with prepayment mode by 31st December, 2023.
Urban Areas: Areas with high ATC Loss Urban Areas with ATC loss 15, required to have smart meters with prepayment mode by 31st December, 2023.
Rural Areas: Areas with ATC loss 25, required to have smart meters with prepayment mode by 31st December, 2023.
Government offices: All Government offices at Block level and above, required to have smart meters with prepayment mode by 31st December, 2023.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider AMISP: The entity responsible for smart Distribution Transformer DT metering.
State Regulatory Commission: The state level regulatory authority that may extend the period of implementation of smart meters.
National Feeder Monitoring System NFMS: All the feeder meters shall be made communicable under National Feeder Monitoring System NFMS by 31st December, 2022
Automatic Meter Reading AMR: facility shall be covered under Advanced Metering Infrastructure AMI
State Electricity Regulatory Commission: The state level electricity regulatory authority may allow installation of prepayment meters in areas without communication network.
Distribution Transformers DTs: DTs and High Voltage Distribution System HVDS transformers having a capacity of less than 25 kVA and DTs feeding only agricultural consumers may be excluded from the above timelines.
High Voltage Distribution System HVDS: DTs and High Voltage Distribution System HVDS transformers having a capacity of less than 25 kVA and DTs feeding only agricultural consumers may be excluded from the above timelines.
New Delhi: The city where the MINISTRY OF POWER NOTIFICATION was issued.
Ghanshyam Prasad: Jt. Secy.
रिज(cid:7021)(cid:7069)ी स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-26052022-236032
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CG-DL-E-26052022-236032
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग I—ख(cid:7003)ड 1
PART I—Section 1
(cid:7079)ािधकार स े(cid:7079)कािशत
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 136] नई (cid:7408)द(cid:7016)ली, बहृ (cid:7021)प ितवार, मई 26, 2022/(cid:6996)य (cid:7020)े ठ 5, 1944
No. 136] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022/JYAISHTHA 5, 1944
िव(cid:7378)तु म(cid:7074)ं ालय
अिधसचू ना
नई (cid:7408)द(cid:7016) ली, 23 मई, 2022
फा.स.ं 23/35/2019-आर एंड आर.—िव(cid:7378)ुत अिधिनयम, 2003 क(cid:7409) धारा 177 क(cid:7409) उप धारा (2) के खंड (ग) के
साथ प(cid:7407)ठत धारा 55 क(cid:7409) उप धारा (1) के अतं ग(cid:6981)त बनाए गए, समय-समय पर संशोिधत, क(cid:7286)(cid:7076)ीय िव(cid:7378)ुत (cid:7079)ािधकरण (मीटर(cid:7298)
का अिध(cid:7020) ठापन और (cid:7079)चालन) (संशोधन), 2019 के खडं 4(1)(ख) के (cid:7079)ावधान(cid:7298) के अनुसरण म,(cid:7286) क(cid:7286)(cid:7076) सरकार एतद(cid:7367)ारा
मौजूदा मीटर(cid:7298) को पूव-(cid:6981) भुगतान सुिवधा वाले (cid:7021) माट(cid:6981) मीटर(cid:7298) स े (cid:7079)ित(cid:7021) थािपत करने के िलए 17 अग(cid:7021) त, 2021 को भारत के
राजप(cid:7074) म(cid:7286) (cid:7079)कािशत अिधसूचना सं. 23/35/2019- आर एंड आर (cid:7367)ारा िन(cid:7013) निलिखत समय-सीमा अिधसूिचत करती ह:ै-
2. (cid:7408)दनांक 17 अग(cid:7021)त , 2021 क(cid:7409) अिधसूचना का अित(cid:7059)मण करत े (cid:7263)ए, एत(cid:7375)ारा िन(cid:7013) निलिखत समय-सीमा
अिधसूिचत क(cid:7409) जाती ह:ै
2.1 संचार नेटवक(cid:6981) य(cid:6989)ु त (cid:6979)े(cid:7074)(cid:7298) के सभी उपभो(cid:6989) ता(cid:7312) (कृिष उपभो(cid:6989) ता(cid:7312) को छोड़कर) को, नीचे िविन(cid:7416)द(cid:7020)(cid:6981) ट
समय-सीमा के भीतर, पूव-(cid:6981) भुगतान मोड म (cid:7286) काय(cid:6981) कर रह े (cid:7021) माट(cid:6981) मीटर(cid:7298) स े िव(cid:7378)ुत क(cid:7409) आप(cid:7414)ू त,(cid:6981) (cid:7079)ासंिगक आईएस के
अनु(cid:7272)प, क(cid:7409) जाएगी:
(i) सभी संघ रा(cid:6996) य (cid:6979)े(cid:7074)(cid:7298), उ(cid:6994) च एटी एंड सी हािनय(cid:7298) (>15 (cid:7079)ितशत एटी एंड सी हािन वाल े शहरी (cid:6979)े(cid:7074)(cid:7298)
तथा>25 (cid:7079)ितशत एटी एडं सी हािन वाले (cid:7061)ामीण (cid:6979)े(cid:7074)ो) सिहत सभी िव(cid:7378)ुत मडं ल(cid:7298) औ(cid:7378)ोिगक तथा
3505 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART I—SEC.1]
वािणि(cid:6996) यक उपभो(cid:6989) ता(cid:7312) (cid:7011)ल ॉक (cid:7021) तर या उससे के सभी सरकारी काया(cid:6981)लय(cid:7298) को (cid:7408)दनांक 31 (cid:7408)दसंबर,
2023 तक, पूव-(cid:6981) भुगतान मोड वाले, (cid:7021) माट(cid:6981) मीटर(cid:7298) से मीटरीकृत (cid:7408)कया जाएगा:
बशत(cid:7288) (cid:7408)क इन (cid:6979)े(cid:7074)(cid:7298) को (cid:7408)दनाकं 31 माच,(cid:6981) 2023 तक, (cid:7079)ाथिमकता के आधार पर, उ(cid:7008)न त मीट(cid:7411)रंग
अवसंरचना सेवा (cid:7079)दाता (एएमआईएसपी) (cid:7367)ारा (cid:7021) माट(cid:6981) िवतरण (cid:7069)ांसफॉम(cid:6981)र (डीटी) के िलए भी कवर
(cid:7408)कया जाएगा।
बशत(cid:7287) यह भी (cid:7408)क रा(cid:6996) य िविनयामक आयोग, अिधसूचना (cid:7367)ारा उस अिधसूचना म (cid:7286) यथा िविन(cid:7416)द(cid:7020)(cid:6981) ट
उपभो(cid:6989) ता(cid:7312) के एक वग(cid:6981) या वग(cid:7300) के िलए या ऐसे (cid:6979)े(cid:7074)(cid:7298) के िलए कारण बतात े (cid:7263)ए, काया(cid:6981)(cid:7008) वयन क(cid:7409) उ(cid:6989) त
अविध को केवल दो बार, ले(cid:7408)कन एक बार म(cid:7286) छह माह से अिधक नह(cid:7277), बढ़ा सकेगा।
(ii) अ(cid:7008) य सभी (cid:6979)े(cid:7074)(cid:7298) को (cid:7408)दनांक 31 माच(cid:6981), 2025 तक, पूव (cid:6981) भगु तान मोड वाल,े (cid:7021) माट(cid:6981) मीटर(cid:7298) स े
मीटरीकृत (cid:7408)कया जाएगा:
बशत(cid:7287) (cid:7408)क इन (cid:6979)े(cid:7074)(cid:7298) म(cid:7286) (cid:7021) माट(cid:6981) िवतरण (cid:7069)ांसफाम(cid:6981)र (डीटी) मीट(cid:7411)रंग (cid:7408)दनांक 31 (cid:7408)दसंबर, 2023 तक पूरी कर
ली जाएगी।
(iii) सभी फ(cid:7409)डर(cid:7298) को (cid:7408)दनांक 31 (cid:7408)दसंबर, 2022 तक मीटरीकृत (cid:7408)कया जाएगा।
(iv) सभी फ(cid:7409)डर मीटर(cid:7298) को (cid:7408)दनांक 31 (cid:7408)दसंबर, 2022 तक रा(cid:7020) (cid:7069)ीय मीटर िनगरानी तं(cid:7074)
(एनएफएमएस) के अतं गत(cid:6981) स(cid:7079)ं ेषणीय बनाया जाएगा और (cid:7021) वचािलत मीटर री(cid:7410)डगं (एएमआर)
सुिवधा यु(cid:6989) त ह(cid:7298)ग ेअथवा उ(cid:7008) नत मीट(cid:7411)रंग अवसंरचना (एएमआई) के अंतग(cid:6981)त कवर (cid:7408)कए जाएंग।े
2.2 ऐसे (cid:6979)े(cid:7074)(cid:7298) म(cid:7286) जहां संचार नेटवक(cid:6981) नह(cid:7277) ह,ै संबंिधत रा(cid:6996) य िव(cid:7378)ुत िविनयामक आयोग (cid:7367)ारा, संब(cid:7373) आईएस
के अन(cid:7272)ु प, पूव(cid:6981) भगु तान मीटर(cid:7298) क(cid:7409) स(cid:7021)ं थापना क(cid:7409) अनुमित दी जाए।
2.3 संब(cid:7373) आईएस म (cid:7286) िन(cid:7416)द(cid:7020)(cid:6981) ट स े अिधक धारा वहन (cid:6979)मता वाल,े सभी उपभो(cid:6989) ता कन(cid:6989)े शन(cid:7298) म(cid:7286), एएमआर
सुिवधा वाले (cid:7021) माट(cid:6981) मीटर(cid:7298) के साथ मीटर उपल(cid:7011)ध कराए जाएं।
2.4 25 केवीए स े कम (cid:6979)मता वाल े िवतरण (cid:7069)ांसफॉमर(cid:7298) (डीटीज) तथा उ(cid:6994) च वो(cid:7016) टेज िवतरण (cid:7079)णाली
(एचवीडीएस) (cid:7069)ांसफॉम(cid:6981)र(cid:7298) और केवल कृिष उपभो(cid:6989) ता(cid:7312) को फ(cid:7409)ड करन े वाल े डीटीज को उपयु(cid:6981)(cid:6989) त समय-सीमा स े
बाहर रखा जाए।
3. यह अिधसूचना भारत के राजप(cid:7074) म(cid:7286) (cid:7079)काशन क(cid:7409) ितिथ स े (cid:7079)भावी होगी और (cid:7408)दनांक 17 अग(cid:7021)त , 2021 क(cid:7409) पूव (cid:6981)
अिधसूचना वापस ली जाती ह।ै
घन(cid:7019)याम (cid:7079)साद, संय(cid:7334)ु सिचव
MINISTRY OF POWER
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 23rd May, 2022
F.No. 23/35/2019-R&R.—In pursuance to the provisions made in clause 4(1) (b) of the Central Electricity
Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2019, amended from time to time,
framed under sub-section (1) of section 55 read with clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 177 of the Electricity Act,
2003, the Central Government notified the timelines for replacement of existing meters with smart meters with
prepayment feature, vide notification No. 23/35/2019-R&R published in the Gazette of India on 17th August, 2021.[भाग I—ख(cid:7003) ड 1] भारत का राजप(cid:7074) : असाधारण 3
2. In supersession of the notification dated 17th August, 2021, the following timelines are hereby notified:—
2.1 All consumers (other than agricultural consumers) in areas with communication network, shall be
supplied electricity with Smart Meters working in prepayment mode, conforming to relevant IS, within the timelines
specified below:
(i) All Union Territories, all electrical divisions with high AT&C Loss
(Urban Areas with AT&C loss >15% and rural areas with AT&C loss >25%), Industrial and
Commercial consumers, all Government offices at Block level and above, shall be metered with smart
meters, with prepayment mode, by 31st December, 2023:
Provided that these areas shall also be covered for smart Distribution Transformer (DT) metering by the
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider ( AMISP), on a priority basis, by 31st March, 2023;
Provided also that the State Regulatory Commission may, by notification, extend the said period of
implementation, giving reasons to do so, only twice but not more than six months at a time, for a class
or classes of consumers or for such areas as may be specified in that notification;
(ii) All other areas shall be metered with smart meters, with prepayment mode, by 31st March, 2025:
Provided that in these areas smart Distribution Transformer (DT) metering shall be completed by 31st
December, 2023;
(iii) All feeders shall be metered by 31st December, 2022;
(iv) All the feeder meters shall be made communicable under National Feeder Monitoring System
(NFMS) by 31st December, 2022 and shall have Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) facility or shall be
covered under Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
2.2 In areas which do not have communication network, installation of prepayment meters, conforming to
relevant IS, may be allowed by the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
2.3 All consumer connections, having current carrying capacity beyond that specified in relevant IS, may be
provided with meters with smart meters having AMR facility.
2.4 Distribution Transformers (DTs) and High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) transformers having a
capacity of less than 25 kVA and DTs feeding only agricultural consumers may be excluded from the above
timelines.
3. This notification shall be effective from the date of publication in the Gazette of India and the earlier
notification dated 17th August, 2021 stands withdrawn.
GHANSHYAM PRASAD, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.