India’s power sector is on the cusp of a major transformation, driven by an ambitious goal to replace 250 million conventional meters with smart meters by 2027. At the forefront of this revolution is IntelliSmart, a Gurgaon-based leader in smart metering and digital solutions. In a recent discussion on The Shift, powered by ET Edge Insights, Anil Rawal, Managing Director and CEO of IntelliSmart, provided a compelling update on the rollout, challenges, and game-changing potential of smart meters.
The deployment is making significant strides, with 220 million meters already sanctioned under the government’s initiative. Rawal confirmed that 140 million have been ordered, and 20 million are operational. He stressed the importance of the first phase of system acceptance testing (SAT), ensuring these smart meters meet high standards of reliability and effectiveness before mass deployment.
Beyond reducing losses and cutting costs, smart metering is redefining efficiency and transparency in the power sector. Historically, power distribution has been the weakest link in the value chain, but smart meters are addressing this issue by enabling precise billing and user-specific consumption charges. This financial stability benefits distribution companies (DISCOMs), allowing them to make timely payments to power generators and transmission companies, strengthening the entire ecosystem.
Smart meters are also crucial to India’s renewable energy ambitions and electric vehicle (EV) expansion. By enabling real-time demand-side management, they facilitate the seamless integration of renewable energy sources and the growing EV load. Additionally, time-of-day tariffs provide consumers with incentives for cost-effective energy usage, ensuring grid stability while promoting sustainable consumption.
A key advantage of smart metering lies in the vast amount of data it generates—nearly 25 billion data points daily. This data offers granular insights into electricity consumption, peak usage hours, and potential irregularities like power theft. For DISCOMs, such intelligence enhances operational efficiency, allowing for strategic resource allocation and the identification of weak grid points.
IntelliSmart’s pilot projects in Haryana and Bihar exemplify the transformative power of smart meter data. Leveraging AI and machine learning, these initiatives gained international recognition for their impact. Rawal highlighted that the full utilisation of smart meter data could unlock an additional ₹25,000 crore in annual revenue, reinforcing the economic and technological potential of this initiative.
IntelliSmart continues to drive India’s smart metering evolution, playing a pivotal role in shaping a more efficient, transparent, and resilient power sector.
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