Bescom to install smart meters for new connections, maintenance costs shared

Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) will begin installing smart meters for new and temporary electricity connections starting March 1. However, the technical maintenance fee of Rs 75 per meter per month will be shared by all consumers. This move follows a recent shift by electricity supply companies (Escoms) in Karnataka, which transferred pension and gratuity payments to consumers through tariff hikes.

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A senior official mentioned that the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has instructed Bescom to recover these smart meter maintenance costs from all consumers. The additional charge is expected to be minimal, with only a 0.01 paisa increase per bill. There is also speculation that Escoms might appeal to KERC for a review of this decision.

Bescom Managing Director N. Shiva Shankara explained that, unlike other states where meters are replaced in bulk, Karnataka will follow a phased approach. This means that smart meters will only be mandatory for new and temporary connections, impacting about 3-4 percent of the total consumer base. A Bescom official also highlighted that each smart meter costs Rs  4998, which consumers are required to pay in full. This cost could be split into monthly installments of Rs 116 for installation and software maintenance over the expected 10-year lifespan of the meter. 

Furthermore, the Rs 75 monthly maintenance charge per meter will be borne by Bescom but passed on to all consumers through the annual tariff adjustment.