## Report on the Central Electricity Authority Installation and Operation of Meters Amendment Regulations, 2022
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Installation and Operation of Meters Amendment Regulations, 2022, based on the official notification published in the Gazette of India. The amendment primarily focuses on incorporating Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Smart Meters into the existing Central Electricity Authority Installation and Operation of Meters Regulations, 2006. Key changes include defining AMI and AMI Service Providers, mandating the use of Smart Meters with prepayment mode in areas with communication networks, clarifying meter ownership in AMI project areas, and requiring meters with remote meter reading capabilities or Smart Meters for feeders and distribution transformers. These changes aim to modernize electricity metering, improve energy accounting, and enhance efficiency within the electricity distribution system.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview and analysis of the Central Electricity Authority Installation and Operation of Meters Amendment Regulations, 2022 (hereinafter referred to as "the Amendment Regulations"), as published in the Gazette of India. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification and aims to inform stakeholders about the changes introduced to the existing regulatory framework for electricity meters.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This document constitutes an *amendment* to the original Central Electricity Authority Installation and Operation of Meters Regulations, 2006.
* The core objective of the Amendment Regulations, as inferred from the text, is to integrate advanced metering technologies, specifically Smart Meters and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), into the electricity distribution system. This aims to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and control of electricity consumption and distribution.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The amendment appears to address the need to modernize the electricity metering infrastructure in India. The inclusion of AMI and Smart Meters suggests a move towards enhanced data collection, remote management, and improved consumer engagement. The original regulations likely lacked specific provisions for these advanced technologies, necessitating this amendment to incorporate and regulate their implementation. This amendment seems designed to facilitate wider adoption of smart meters and AMI, addressing the evolving needs of the power sector, particularly in areas with existing communication networks.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
The Amendment Regulations introduce the following key changes to the Central Electricity Authority Installation and Operation of Meters Regulations, 2006:
* **Definition of AMI and AMI Service Provider:**
* **Original Policy (Implied):** The original policy likely lacked a formal definition of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and AMI Service Providers.
* **New Rule:** The amendment inserts definitions for "Advanced Metering Infrastructure" and "Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider" into subregulation 1 of regulation 2. AMI is defined as an integrated system of smart meters, communication networks, and data management systems enabling two-way communication. AMI Service Provider is defined as a person appointed by the distribution licensee for owning, operating, and maintaining AMI, until its transfer to the licensee.
* **Effect of Change:** This clarifies the scope and definition of AMI, setting the stage for regulatory oversight and standardization. It also defines the role of the AMI Service Provider, establishing a framework for engaging with external entities for AMI deployment.
* **Mandatory Smart Meters in Areas with Communication Networks:**
* **Original Policy (Implied):** The original policy likely did not mandate the use of Smart Meters in any specific areas.
* **New Rule:** The amendment substitutes clause b in subregulation 1 of regulation 4, mandating that all consumers in areas with communication networks shall be supplied electricity with Smart Meters working in prepayment mode, conforming to relevant IS, within the timelines specified by the Central Government. It also maintains a provision for meters with automatic remote meter reading or Smart Meters for connections exceeding specific current carrying capacities, also conforming to relevant IS standards. Finally, it allows for installation of prepayment meters in areas without communication networks with the approval of the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
* **Effect of Change:** This introduces a requirement for Smart Meter deployment in areas with the necessary infrastructure, potentially leading to better energy management, reduced losses, and improved consumer billing accuracy. The prepayment mode aims to improve revenue collection for distribution licensees.
* **Meter Ownership in AMI Project Areas:**
* **Original Policy:** Clause a of subregulation 2 of regulation 6 previously specified who generally owns the meters.
* **New Rule:** The amendment to subregulation 2 of regulation 6 adds a proviso stating that if a licensee has engaged an AMI Service Provider, the ownership of meters remains with the AMI Service Provider during the contract period.
* **Effect of Change:** This clarifies meter ownership in cases where AMI services are outsourced, providing legal certainty to both the licensee and the AMI Service Provider.
* **Metering for Feeders and Distribution Transformers:**
* **Original Policy:** Clause iii of regulation 7 subregulation 3 previously specified the metering for the distribution system.
* **New Rule:** The amendment to clause iii of regulation 7 subregulation 3 adds a proviso stating that all feeders and distribution transformers shall be provided with meters having automatic remote meter reading facility or Smart Meters as per relevant IS, as per the timelines specified by the Central Government. It further stipulates that distribution transformer level energy accounting data must be uploaded by distribution licensees on a quarterly basis to the National Power Portal, following the Bureau of Energy Efficiency's prescribed format.
* **Effect of Change:** This mandates comprehensive metering of feeders and distribution transformers with advanced capabilities, enabling better energy accounting, loss reduction, and grid management. The data upload requirement enhances transparency and facilitates performance monitoring.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the primary target audience and stakeholders affected by these changes include:
* Electricity distribution licensees
* Consumers in areas with communication networks
* Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Providers
* Central Electricity Authority
* State Electricity Regulatory Commissions
* Bureau of Energy Efficiency
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is responsible for formulating and enforcing the regulations. State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) have a role in approving prepayment meters in areas without communication networks. Distribution licensees are responsible for implementing the meter changes.
* **Timelines:** The Central Government will specify the timelines for implementing Smart Meter deployment in areas with communication networks and for providing meters with remote meter reading facility or Smart Meters for feeders and distribution transformers.
* **Procedures:** Distribution licensees will need to engage with AMI Service Providers (if applicable), procure and install Smart Meters, and ensure data is uploaded to the National Power Portal as required.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcomes of these amendments include:
* Modernization of electricity metering infrastructure with advanced technologies.
* Improved energy accounting and reduction of transmission and distribution losses.
* Enhanced revenue collection through prepayment mode.
* Greater transparency and data-driven decision-making through the National Power Portal.
* Increased consumer engagement and control over electricity consumption.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Central Electricity Authority Installation and Operation of Meters Amendment Regulations, 2022, represent a significant step towards modernizing the Indian electricity sector. By incorporating Smart Meters, AMI, and remote meter reading capabilities, the amendment aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the electricity distribution system. The implementation of these changes will require coordinated efforts from distribution licensees, regulatory bodies, and technology providers. The specified amendments will impact the industry.
Key Entities Referenced
Electricity Act, 2003: An act of the Indian Parliament that regulates the electricity sector in India.
Central Electricity Authority Installation and Operation of Meters Regulations, 2006: Regulations pertaining to the installation and operation of meters in the electricity sector, established by the Central Electricity Authority.
Central Electricity Authority: A statutory body that advises the government on policy matters and formulates efficient, economical and environmentally sustainable development of the power system in the country.
Central Electricity Authority Installation and Operation of Meters Amendment Regulations, 2022: Amendments made in 2022 to the Central Electricity Authority Installation and Operation of Meters Regulations, 2006.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure: An integrated system of smart meters, communication networks and data management systems that enables two way communication between the utilities and energy meters.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider: A person appointed by the distribution licensee, for owning, operating, and maintaining Advanced Metering Infrastructure or a part of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure, till its transfer to the licensee
State Electricity Regulatory Commission: A commission at the state level that regulates the electricity sector within the respective state.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency Manner and Intervals for Conduct of Energy Audit in electricity distribution companies Regulations, 2021: Regulations pertaining to the conduct of energy audits in electricity distribution companies.
National Power Portal: A national portal for power sector information.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-28022022-233773
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CG-DL-E-28022022-233773
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग III—खण् ड 4
PART III—Section 4
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 112] नई दिल्ली, सोमिार, फरिरी 28, 2022/फाल्ग नु 9, 1943
No. 112] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2022/PHALGUNA 9, 1943
केन्द्रीय जिद्यतु प्राजधकरण
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 28 फरिरी, 2022
स.ं केजिप्रा-िीओ-13-15(12)/1/2022-डीपीआर प्रभाग.-- केन्द्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण (मीटरों का अजधष्ठापन और
प्रचालन) जिजनयम, 2006 म ें संिोधन का प्रस्ट्ताि करने िाल े प्रारूप जिजनयमों को जिद्युत (पूिव प्रकािन के जलए प्रदिया)
जनयम, 2005 के जनयम (3) के उप-जनयम (2) के साथ पठित जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 (2003 का 36) की धारा 177 की
उप-धारा (3) के द्वारा यथा अपेजित छह िैजनक समाचार पत्रों म ें प्रकाजित दकया गया था, जिसम,ें उक्त प्रकािनों को
अंतर्िवष्ट करने िाले समाचार पत्र की प्रजतयां िनता को उपलब्ध कराई गई तारीख स े 33 दिनों की अिजध के समाप्त होने से
पूिव, इसके द्वारा प्रभाजित होन ेिाले सभी संभाजित व्यजक्तयों स े आपजि और सुझाि मांगे गए थ;े
और उक्त जिजनयमों को अंतर्िवष्ट करने िाल े उक्त समाचार पत्रों की प्रजतयां िनता को तारीख 25.03.2021 को
उपलब्ध करा िी गई थीं;
और उक्त प्रारूप जिजनयमों पर िनता स े प्राप्त आिपे ो और सुझािों पर केन्द्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण द्वारा जिचार कर
जलया गया था;
1381 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
अतः अब केन्द्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण,जिद्युत अजधजनयम 2003 की धारा 177 की उप-धारा (2) के खंड (ग) के साथ
पठित धारा 55 की उप-धारा (1), द्वारा प्रिि िजक्तयों का प्रयोग करत े हुए, केन्द्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण (मीटरों का
अजधष्ठापन और प्रचालन) जिजनयम, 2006 का और संिोधन करने के जलए जनम्नजलजखत जिजनयम बनाता ह ैअथावत ्:-
1. (1) इन जिजनयमों का संजिप्त नाम केन्द्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण (मीटरों का अजधष्ठापन और प्रचालन) संिोधन जिजनयम,
2022 ह।ै
(2) य े जिजनयम रािपत्र म ें उनके प्रकािन की तारीख स ेप्रिृि होंगे।
2. केन्द्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण (मीटरों का अजधष्ठापन और प्रचालन) जिजनयम, 2006 (जिसे इसम ें इसके पश् चात उक्त
जिजनयम कहा गया ह)ै म,ें जिजनयम 2 के उप-जिजनयम (1) म,ें खंड (घ) के पश् चात जनम्नजलजखत को अंतः स्ट्थाजपत दकया
िाएगा, अथावत ् :-
‘‘(घ क) 'एडिांस्ट्ड मीटररंग इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर' स्ट्माट व मीटर, संचार नेटिकव और डाटा प्रबंधन प्रणाजलयों की एक एकीकृत
प्रणाली ह ै िो यूठटजलटी और ऊिाव मीटर के बीच जद्वदििात्मक संचार को सिम बनाता है, और एडिांस्ट्ड मीटररंग
इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर के कायावत्मक ब्लॉक में साधारणतया हडे एडं प्रणाली, िाइड एठरया नेटिकव, नेबरहुड एठरया नेटिकव,
डाटा कंसेनरेटर यूजनट और होम एठरया नेटिकव सजममजलत होता ह;ै
(घ ख) 'एडिांस्ट्ड मीटररंग इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर सेिा प्रिाता', 'एडिांस्ट्ड मीटररंग इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर’ का या उसके एक जहस्ट्स े का
स्ट्िाजमत्ि, संचालन और रखरखाि के जलए, जितरण लाइसेंसधारी द्वारा जनयुक्त व्यजक्त ह,ै िब तक दक
लाइसेंसधारी को इसका हस्ट्तांतरण नहीं हो िाता।"
3. उक्त जिजनयमों के जिजनयम 4 के उप-जिजनयम (1) में खडं (ख) के स्ट्थान पर जनम्नजलजखत को रखा िाएगा, अथावत:्-
"(ख) संचार नेटिकव िाल े िेत्रों के सभी उपभोक्ताओं को केन्द्रीय सरकार द्वारा जिजनर्िष्टव समय-सीमा के भीतर,
सुसंगत भारतीय मानक के अनरूु प, पूिव भुगतान मोड म ें काम कर रह े स्ट्माट व मीटर के साथ जबिली की आपूर्त व की
िाएगी;
परंत ु सुसंगत भारतीय मानक म ें जनर्िष्टव स े अजधक जिद्युत धारा िहन िमता िाल े सभी उपभोक्ता कनेक्िनों को
स्ट्िचाजलत ठरमोट मीटर रीडडंग सुजिधा िाल े मीटर या सुसंगत भारतीय मानक के अनरूु प स्ट्माटव मीटर प्रिान दकए
िाएंगे;
परन्द्त ु यह और दक जिन िेत्रों म ें संचार नेटिकव नहीं ह,ै िहा ं संबंजधत राज्य जिद्युत जनयामक आयोग द्वारा सुसंगत
भारतीय मानक के अनरूु प, पूि व भुगतान मीटरों की स्ट्थापना की अनुमजत िी िाएगी।"
4. उक्त जिजनयमों के जिजनयम 6 के उप-जिजनयम (2) म ेंखंड (क) के स्ट्थान पर जनम्नजलजखत को रखा िाएगा, अथावत् :-
‘‘(क) उपभोक्ता मीटर साधारणतया लाइसेंसधारी के स्ट्िाजमत्ि म ें होंग;े
परंत ु दक यदि लाइसेंसधारी ने एडिांस्ट्ड मीटररंग इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर सेिा प्रिाता ित्रे के जलए, एडिांस्ट्ड मीटररंग
इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर सेिाए ं प्रिान करने हते ,ु एडिांस्ट्ड मीटररंग इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर सेिा प्रिाता की सेिाए ं ली ह,ैं तो अनुबंध
अिजध के िौरान मीटर का स्ट्िाजमत्ि एडिांस्ट्ड मीटररंग इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर सेिा प्रिाता के पास रहगे ा ।"
5. उक्त जिजनयमों के जिजनयम 7 के उप-जिजनयम (3) म ें खंड (iii) के स्ट्थान पर जनम्नजलजखत को रखा िाएगा, अथावत ् :-
‘‘(iii) जितरण प्रणाली
(क) सभी आगजमक फीडर (3.3 केिी और ऊपर);[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
(ख) सभी बजहगावमी फीडर (3.3 केिी और ऊपर);
(ग) जितरण रांसफामवर सजहत उप-केंर रांसफामवर - लाइसेंसधारी ऊिा व लेखा एि ं संपरीिा की आिश्यकता के
आधार पर प्राथजमक या जद्वतीयक तरफ या िोनों तरफ मीटर प्रिान कर सकता ह;ै
परन्द्त ु दक सभी फीडरों और जितरण रांसफामवरों को केंरीय सरकार द्वारा जिजनर्िष्टव समय-सीमा के अनुसार,
स्ट्िचाजलत ठरमोट मीटर रीडडंग सुजिधा िाले मीटर या सुसंगत भारतीय मानक के अनुरूप स्ट्माटव मीटर उपलब्ध
कराए िाएंग;े
परन्द्त ु यह और दक जितरण लाइसेंसधाठरयों द्वारा जितरण रासं फॉमवर स्ट्तर का ऊिाव लेखा डाटा, राष्ट्रीय ऊिा व
पोटवल पर ऊिाव ििता ब्यूरो (जिद्युत जितरण कंपजनयों म ें ऊिाव लेखा परीिा(लेखांकन) संचालन हते ु रीजत और
अंतराल) जिजनयम, 2021 म ें जनधावठरत प्रारूप के अनुसार, जतमाही आधार पर अपलोड दकया िाएगा। "
िी. के. जमश्र, सजचि
[जिज्ञापन-III/4/असा./665/2021-22]
ठटप्प ण: मूल जिजनयमों को भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग III, खंड 4 म ें अजधसूचना संख्या 502/70/केजिप्रा/
डीपीएंडडी, तारीख 22 माचव, 2006 के अधीन प्रकाजित दकया गया था और अंजतम संिोधन अजधसूचना संख्या
सीईए-िीओ-13-15/3/2019-डीपीआर प्रभाग, तारीख 23 दिसंबर, 2019 द्वारा संिोजधत दकया गया था।
CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 28th February, 2022
No. CEA-GO-13-15(12)/1/2022-DPR Division.—Whereas the draft regulations proposing to
amend the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006 was
published in six newspaper dailies, as required by sub-section (3) of section 177 of the Electricity Act, 2003
(36 of 2003) read with sub-rule (2) of rule (3) of the Electricity (Procedure for previous Publication) Rules,
2005, inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby, before the expiry of
the period of thirty three days, from the date on which the copies of the newspaper containing the said
publications were made available to the public;
And whereas copies of the said newspapers containing the said regulations were made available to
the public on 25th March, 2021;
And whereas the objections and suggestions received from the public on the said draft regulations
were considered by the Central Electricity Authority;
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 55 read with
clause (c ) of sub-section (2) of section 177 of the Electricity Act, 2003, the Central Electricity Authority
hereby makes the following regulations further to amend the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and
Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006, namely: -
1. (1) These regulations may be called the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of
Meters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2022.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. In the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006
(hereinafter referred to as the said regulations), in sub-regulation (1) of regulation (2), after clause (d), the
following shall be inserted, namely:-
“(da) ‘Advanced Metering Infrastructure’ is an integrated system of smart meters, communication
networks and data management systems that enables two way communication between the utilities
and energy meters, and the functional blocks of Advanced Metering Infrastructure typically include4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
Head end system, Wide area network, Neighborhood area network, Data concentrator unit and
Home area network;
(db) ‘Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider’ is a person appointed by the distribution
licensee, for owning, operating, and maintaining Advanced Metering Infrastructure or a part of the
Advanced Metering Infrastructure, till its transfer to the licensee;”.
3. In regulation 4 of the said regulations, in sub-regulation (1), for clause (b), the following shall be
substituted, namely: -
“(b) All consumers in areas with communication network, shall be supplied electricity with Smart
Meters working in prepayment mode, conforming to relevant IS, within the timelines as specified
by the Central Government:
Provided that all consumer connections having current carrying capacity beyond that
specified in relevant IS, shall be provided with meters having automatic remote meter reading
facility or Smart Meters as per relevant IS.
Provided further that in areas which do not have communication network, installation of
prepayment meters, conforming to relevant IS, shall be allowed by the respective State Electricity
Regulatory Commission”.
4. In regulation 6 of the said regulations, in sub-regulation (2), for clause (a), the following shall be
substituted, namely:-
“(a) Consumer meters shall generally be owned by the licensee:
Provided that in case the licensee has engaged the services of Advanced Metering Infrastructure
Service Provider to provide Advanced Metering Infrastructure services for an Advanced Metering
Infrastructure project area, the ownership of meters shall remain with Advanced Metering
Infrastructure Service Provider during the contract period”.
5. In regulation 7 of the said regulations, in sub-regulation (3), for clause (iii), the following shall be
substituted, namely:
“(iii) Distribution system,-
(a) all incoming feeders (3.3 kV and above);
(b) all outgoing feeders (3.3 kV and above);
(c) sub-station transformer including distribution transformer – Licensee may provide the meter on
primary or secondary side or both sides depending upon the requirement for energy accounting and
audit:
Provided that all feeders and distribution transformers shall be provided with meters having
automatic remote meter reading facility or Smart Meters as per relevant IS, as per the timelines
specified by the Central Government:
Provided further that distribution transformer level energy accounting data shall be uploaded by the
distribution licensees on quarterly basis on National Power Portal as per the format prescribed in
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Manner and Intervals for Conduct of Energy Audit in
electricity distribution companies) Regulations, 2021”.
V. K. MISHRA, Secy.
[ADVT.-III/4/Exty./665/2021-22]
Note: The principal regulations were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4,
vide notification No. 502/70/CEA/DP&D, dated the 22nd March, 2006 and last amended vide
notification No. CEA-GO-13-15/3/2019-DPR Division, dated the 23rd December, 2019.
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.