The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) has reinvited tenders for installing smart meters for all types of domestic and commercial consumers in the State. The Tamil Nadu Generation Corporation (Tangedco), from which TNPDCL has been formed, had earlier cancelled the smart meter contract awarded to Adani group last year. 

A senior official of the TNPDCL, said tenders have been invited for installing 3.40 crore smart meters at the cost of ₹20,000 crore. For executing the smart meter project, the 12-circle, including Chennai (which has Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur) , has been segregated into six zones, with each containing two circles, and tenders have been floated separately to find the contractors. 

As per the consumer data, there are 2.50 crore domestic consumers with single phase connection, 50 lakh with three phase connections and 15,000 high tension customers. Also, more than 4.75 lakh distribution transformers are to be fitted with smart meters, the official said. 

For Chennai, clubbed with Vellore circle, a total of 49 lakh smart meters would be procured and another 49 lakh meters would be brought for covering Kancheepuram and Villupuram circles. 

The main advantage for the domestic consumers in installing smart meters could pave the way for the introduction of the long-awaited monthly billing cycle replacing the bi-monthly cycle which is prevalent now, he said. The smart meters would be able to analyse the exact power demand through the automated consumption data and prevent revenue loss, he added. 

The Electricity Department had planned to procure and install smart meters through Adani group earlier under the Restructured accelerated power development and reforms programme (RAPDRP) project which was cancelled.