Visakhapatnam: The Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (EPDCL) is gearing up to usher in a new era of smart energy management by providing smart meters to eight lakh domestic consumers and 2.65 lakh agricultural consumers within its service areas by the conclusion of the current financial year.

These innovative smart meters will be installed for domestic consumers who consume more than 200 units of electricity.

It's worth noting that among the 60 lakh domestic consumers serviced by EPDCL, only eight lakh exceed the 200-unit consumption threshold, including 1.09 lakh government consumers, 22,820 industrial consumers, 5.86 lakh domestic consumers, and 4,310 HT consumers.

EPDCL has already initiated the procurement process by floating tenders for smart meters for domestic consumers, and contracts have been awarded for this purpose.

The installation of smart meters involves replacing the existing meters for domestic connections, thereby enabling consumers to benefit from advanced energy monitoring and management capabilities.

According to EPDCL CMD Immadi Prudhvi Teja, farmers have shown a keen interest in embracing smart meters.

Except for around 10,000 consumers, including those residing abroad, the majority of the 2.5 lakh agricultural consumers in all 11 districts served by EPDCL's five circles have expressed their willingness to adopt smart meters.

A substantial portion of the required materials for agricultural smart meters has already been procured, with the entire process slated for completion at the start of the upcoming New Year.

Teja further explained that as part of this initiative, EPDCL will segregate agricultural and domestic feeders to provide three-phase power specifically to farmers.

This separation will not only streamline power distribution but also enable EPDCL to offer round-the-clock three-phase power supply to villages.

Currently, EPDCL provides nine hours of three-phase power, and upon the project's completion, uninterrupted power supply will become a reality.

Importantly, EPDCL and its contractors will not impose any charges for the installation of smart meters for domestic consumers, making this transition to smart energy management even more accessible and beneficial for consumers.