UP power utility faces heat for installing 3G smart meters in the age of 4G

UP energy regulator issues notice to power utility seeking report on installations, impact on future opex

Uttar Pradesh energy regulator has issued notice to state power utility over the installation of smart meters that are based on old 2G and 3G technologies.

The total project cost of installing 4 million smart meters in consumers' premises across UP has been estimated at Rs 1,927 crore. 200,000 installations have already been done. 

Hearing a petition filed against the installation of smart meters and modems based on old technologies, the UP Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) recently sought a detailed report from the managing director of UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL).

The petitioner, UP Power Consumers Council president Avadhesh Kumar