WBSEDCL to introduce smart meters across Salt Lake

West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) is likely to introduce smart meters in Salt Lake. Around 5,275 smart meters will be installed in Salt Lake which falls under WBSEDCL.

"We will install 5,275 smart meters in Salt Lake under WBSEDCL. This initiative will be a part of the pilot project -'National Smart Grid Mission'," K Nandakumar, the chairman and managing director of Chemtrols Industries limited, mentioned while speaking on the sidelines of 'Bridging Automation Society', a business conclave organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) on Tuesday. Nandakumar's company is implementing the project in Salt Lake as well as in 12 other places across the country.

"Salt Lake is the first of such areas where smart meter project has already been launched. The officers are currently testing the device," a WBSEDCL source said.

The company is eyeing on delivering the facility across villages as WBSEDCL operates mostly in rural areas.

It may be mentioned that the Power department decided to install such smart meters to cut down power theft. The government is installing smart meters targeting at least 1.7 crore consumers.

State power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay had earlier informed that new meters would gradually replace the old ones. The minister also said that rampant hooking was a matter of concern which prompted the government to take this decision.

Following the implementation, any account of hooking or pilferage can be monitored directly from a centralised server because of the highly advanced technology involved.

According to the minister, smart meters would also contribute in bringing down pollution and ensure uninterrupted supply of good quality power. He added that many companies from Japan, China, Korea, Europe and South Africa had met him to discuss the usage of smart meters which results in less pollution in power sector.