Polaris Smart Metering, a provider of advanced smart metering solutions, has won two contracts valued at over ₹52 billion (~$625.6 million) for the implementation of smart prepaid metering systems in Uttar Pradesh.

The contracts, awarded by Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam (MVVNL), involve installing more than 5.1 million smart meters in key clusters, including Lucknow and Ayodhya/Devipatan, over the next 27 months.

Under the terms of the agreement, Polaris will supply, install, commission, and maintain smart meters across the consumer base in these clusters for the next decade.

The smart meters will facilitate prepaid billing, real-time energy monitoring, accurate metering, and improved grid management capabilities.

The comprehensive initiative falls under a design-build-finance-operate-own-transfer agreement.

Beyond Uttar Pradesh, Polaris has also received letters of award from West Bengal and Manipur, totaling over ₹24 billion (~$288.7 million). These contracts will see the installation of more than 2.3 million smart meters across these two states.

Smart meters help DISCOMs reduce losses and empower consumers by introducing smart prepaid meters, enabling them to exercise better control over their energy consumption.

Through real-time access to energy usage data, consumers can effectively monitor and manage their consumption patterns.

Yashraj Khaitan, CEO, Polaris Smart Metering, said, “Our smart metering solutions will empower consumers with actionable insights into their energy consumption while simultaneously delivering substantial benefits to the state governments in terms of improved grid efficiency, reduced pilferage, and improved environmental sustainability.”

Bhawani Singh Khangarot, MD of MVVNL, emphasized the integral role of smart metering technology in modernizing energy infrastructure. He said smart metering addresses grid losses, optimizes load management and contributes to environmental conservation.

Last July, GMR Smart Electricity Distribution, a subsidiary of GMR Power and Urban Infra, won the order to install, integrate, and maintain 7.57 million smart meters across different regions in Uttar Pradesh.

In October 2022, Energy Efficiency Services, as part of its Smart Meter National Program, installed over three million smart meters in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, and Andaman. The company signed agreements with the state-designated agencies and utilities in these regions to deploy smart meters on a large scale.